First batch of 50 Macau students stranded in London to return to Macau tonight

The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) continues to assist 136 stranded Macau students to fly back to Macau, among which, 50 are expected to arrive Hong Kong tonight (Dec 22). With assistance and coordination of GGCT, MGTO’s UK representative and Cathay Pacific Airways, the first batch of 50 Macau students stranded in London has boarded the first additional flight of Cathay Pacific, CX2250, which departed at midnight local time from Manchester and is expected to arrive Hong Kong International Airport about 8:20pm (Hong Kong time) tonight (Dec 22). As the arrival time is quite late, GGCT will provide transportation arrangements to the students for returning to Macau from Hong Kong. 27 other stranded students will travel on the second additional flight, which is expected to depart noon today (Dec 22) local time and arrive Hong Kong tomorrow (Dec 23) morning. 31 students holding tickets of different airlines have rebooked other flights with the help of their airlines or assistance by GGCT. GGCT also learned that 6 students have decided to stay in the UK. Currently, GGCT is following up with the remaining 22 cases to help with seat arrangements and to provide necessary assistance. Regarding package tours, GGCT has maintained close contact with the travel trade for latest updates of Macau residents who joined tours. Till now, 18 Macau residents, who joined different tour groups originated from Hong Kong, are assisted by the travel agencies. GGCT will continue its close contacts with the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Security Bureau of Hong Kong SAR, the Office of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in the Macau SAR and MGTO's UK Representative, Macau’s travel trade and airlines to follow up on the situation in London. GGCT has received 9 requests for assistance and 39 inquiries today (Dec 22), in addition to 90 requests for assistance and 43 inquiries received yesterday (Dec 21). Till 4pm today, there are a total of 117 requests for assistance and 84 inquiries in the course of the past few days from the beginning of the incident. GGCT urges affected Macau residents or those with family members stranded in London to contact the following numbers for assistance in case of emergency: －Hotline: (853)28333000；
－MGTO's Representative in the UK: (44)2083348328 or
－the Embassy of the PRC in the UK: (44)2072998431 / (44)7551436721