Cathay Pacific ‘reviews’ state of emergency as Maldives political crisis deepens

Cathay Pacific Airways is “reviewing” a 15-day state of emergency in the Maldives, hours after a political crisis in the Indian Ocean island nation deepened.

Adding uncertainty for Lunar New Year holidaymakers, Hong Kong’s flagship airline acknowledged on Twitter the change in security conditions.

Maldives chief justice, top judge arrested as President Yameen clashes with Supreme Court over jailed politicians

A day earlier, China’s foreign ministry on Monday advised its citizens to avoid visiting the Maldives until the political tensions subsided.

The Post asked Cathay Pacific about the impact on flights following the country’s new emergency declaration but the airline had yet to respond. Rival carrier Hong Kong Airlines said it was reviewing the situation.

Instability over the years has roiled the tiny island nation archipelago.

Maldives’ embattled president calls state of emergency amid protests calling for his impeachment

The situation came to a head after a court ruling last week ordered the country’s president, Abdulla Yameen, to release political prisoners.

Defying the order, a 15-day state of emergency was declared overnight on Tuesday which saw the ex-president detain two of the country’s top judges including the chief justice. The upgraded security status gave the country’s security forces vast powers to arrest anyone, too.

Hong Kong’s Security Bureau, which oversees government policies such as law and order, customs and immigration, was contacted for comment about the potential addition of the Maldives to its outbound travel alert status, which warns Hong Kong travellers about travel risks abroad, but has yet to reply.

Away from the political unrest, the Maldives is widely seen as a popular exotic holiday destination and a tropical paradise famed for its islands, beaches and crystal clear waters.

Cathay Pacific flies six times a week and Hong Kong Airlines recently started flights to the island three times a week.

On Tuesday, the Maldives was advertised as part of Cathay’s weekly discounted flights promotion.