2 Cathay passengers charged over scuffle on flight from Japan to Hong Kong

Two passengers on board a Cathay Pacific Airways flight from Sapporo in Japan to Hong Kong have been charged after they allegedly scuffled and threw items at each other.

Police said on Tuesday a 32-year-old woman from Hong Kong surnamed Tsui and a 60-year-old woman from mainland China surnamed Zhang were charged with unruly behaviour under the Aviation Security Ordinance. The pair will appear at West Kowloon Court on Wednesday.

“The two had a scuffle over trivial matters on flight CX581 at around 9.45pm on Monday and later threw items at each other,” a force spokesman said.

“When police arrived, Tsui said her forehead was injured, while Zhang complained that she had chest pain. But both refused to be hospitalised.”

Flight tracking data showed the flight departed at 5.12 pm in Sapporo on Monday and landed in Hong Kong at 9.34 pm.

It was reported Zhang suddenly became emotional when the flight touched down, and Tsui, who was sitting behind her, threw a water bottle at her. They started scuffling and flung a pillow at each other.