Cathay Pacific for first time offers airfare discounts to Hong Kong voters in mainland China returning for district council poll

Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will for the first time offer discounted airfares to city voters living in mainland China so they can return for the coming district council election amid reported apathy over the poll. Confirming the move after Post inquiries, a Cathay spokesman said the aim was to “facilitate Hong Kong residents residing on the Chinese mainland returning to Hong Kong and actively participating in the coming 2023 district council ordinary election on December 10”. Cathay has not announced the offer on its website. The election will be the first since the government revamped the district council system earlier this year as part of a series of changes under Beijing’s “patriots-only” governance model. Sources said the airline had provided discount codes to some pro-Beijing associations. Hongkongers living across the border can enter the code to enjoy a 10% discount before the election on tickets bought online for flights between December 5 and 20.<br/>