Why was I denied boarding on a flight with a transfer through Hong Kong?
I booked a flight on Cathay but I was denied boarding from China to Europe via Hong Kong. The operator claimed that I need visa to transit (Syrian national) although I had one single booking and my transfer was only 3 hours and I met the requirements of my final destination.
They forced me to refund the ticket so I lost the refund fees, what can I do in this situation? I am worried that the operator input HK as the final destination just to get rid of me.
Although the IATA system gives the same message to mainland Chinese passengers they still let them transfer through HK to Europe, so why did they deny it to me?
Best Answer
According to both Timatic (the system used by most airlines to confirm visa requirements) and the IATA Travel Center a Syrian national DOES require a visa to transit Hong Kong, even if only for a few hours, and even when travelling on a single ticket.
As you did not have a valid visa to transit Hong Kong, you were correctly denied boarding in China.
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What are the reasons for denied boarding?
Non-Discriminatory Reasons For Being Denied Boarding- Being intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs.
- Attempting to interfere with the duties of a flight crew member.
- Disrupting flight operations or engaging in unruly behavior.
- Having an offensive odor that is not caused by a disability or illness.
Can travelers transit through Hong Kong?
Passengers transiting through Hong Kong must carry a printed boarding pass. Self-printed and mobile boarding passes will not be accepted.Can you still transit through Hong Kong airport?
Please check with airlines for details. Transit/ transfer services at HKIA for passengers from airports in Mainland China have resumed from 15 August 2020 and will continue until further notice. However, transit/transfer services to destinations in Mainland China remain unavailable at HKIA.How do you handle denied boarding?
If an airline denies boarding against a passenger's will, it must:How to AVOID Being DENIED Boarding a flight | 5 Common Flight Mistakes International Travelers Make
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