May 21, 2026 | 11:40 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - For travelers who frequently fly with the airline Cathay Pacific, be prepared for some changes. The Hong Kong national airline announced a new policy that will accelerate the closing time of departure gates for all flights worldwide. This step aims to improve flight punctuality and reduce delays, a major concern in the travel industry.Commitment to Address Delays Due to BaggageThe new rule will take effect on June 1, 2026. According to a report by The Straits Times, the airline stated that all departure gates will close precisely 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Compared to the previous regulation, which allowed for a 10-minute window before departure, this policy marks a five-minute earlier closure.The fundamental reason behind this time change is closely related to the discipline of passenger and baggage handling in the aircraft's cargo. One of the main causes of flight delays is passengers arriving late at the gate or even canceling their flight after their luggage has been loaded into the aircraft's cargo hold, as reported by The Standard. In accordance with international aviation safety laws, the ground crew is required to track down and unload the baggage of passengers who fail to show up.The baggage sterilization process takes a long time and often causes discomfort for hundreds of other well-behaved travelers. A representative from the airline explained the adverse impact of this situation."This can lead to delays and impact all other customers who arrive at the gate on time," as stated in an official announcement by Cathay Pacific.Extra Comfort and Adaptation to Global StandardsIn addition to accelerating gate closure worldwide, the boarding process for flights departing from the airline's main hub at Hong Kong International Airport will also begin five minutes earlier. RTHK reported that this change is based on feedback from customers and field staff. This additional duration is intentionally provided to allow travelers more time to stow their cabin baggage and to sit calmly before the aircraft takes off.This adjustment is also made to align their operations with the best international practices. Travelers should carefully check their physical and digital flight tickets. This includes the gate number, boarding group, and boarding time. "Arriving at the gate on time and prepared will ensure a smooth boarding process, timely departure and a better journey for everyone on board," as stated by the airline, as reported by VnExpress.Laode Muhammad Ashegaf contributed to the writing of this articleRead: Top 10 Busiest Airports Globally, Including Four in the U.S.Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
