What happened
Cathay Pacific announced that effective June 1, 2026, boarding gates at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) will close 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure for all flights. This is a 5-minute increase from the current 10-minute closure time. Additionally, boarding will begin 5 minutes earlier. The airline cites on-time performance as the primary driver, aiming to mitigate delays caused by late-arriving or no-show passengers and the subsequent offloading of their checked baggage. The change aligns with international best practices and customer feedback prioritizing punctuality