Regulator wants to know why Hong Kong Airlines has a screw loose
Hong Kong’s aviation authority is seeking answers from beleaguered Hong Kong Airlines over why jet parts keep falling from the skies.
The civil aviation department wants a detailed report from the airline in response to media reports citing claims by Japan’s ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism.
The ministry said eight HK Airlines aircraft were found to be missing certain external parts on arrival at Tokyo’s Narita Airport.
It said a total of 19 parts were found to be missing in just a few days during late May.
Narita airport authorities suspect the missing parts may have fallen off mid-flight.
Japan authorities said it was ‘unusual that components from several planes of the same airline fell off successively in such a short period of time.’
HK Airlines admitted parts were missing but maintains it hasn’t impacted safety.
It says comprehensive pre-departure checks are carried as standard.
"The small missing item is usually a screw and washer set which falls within operationally acceptable regulatory standards and does not pose any safety risk or violation," the airline said.
The Civil Aviation department agreed but transport secretary Frank Chan Fan says it is still nevertheless concerning.
He called on the airline to carry out detailed inspections of all aircraft and report the findings.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Suspension of all regional trains in Catalonia following two new rail accidents in Spain