This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
On August 5, 2019, Hong Kong's transport sector was severely disrupted as protesters brought the city to a standstill, causing widespread travel chaos.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam held a press conference to address the situation, warning protesters that their actions were undermining Hong Kong's law and order and pushing the city to the verge of a very dangerous situation.
"(They) have seriously undermined Hong Kong's law and order and are pushing our city, the city that we all love and many of us helped to build, to the verge of a very dangerous situation," Lam said.
She later referenced the protesters' call for a 'revolution', describing it as a challenge to the 'one country, two systems' framework under which Hong Kong has been ruled since its return from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
"I dare say they are trying to destroy Hong Kong," Lam said.
Activists descended on key subway stations during the morning rush hour, deliberately keeping open doors to stop trains departing, crippling multiple lines and triggering occasional scuffles.
More than 100 flights at the city's airport were listed as cancelled on Monday morning, with many disrupted flights being with Cathay Pacific.
The carrier did not give a reason for the cancellations, but its flight attendants union confirmed some of its members had walked out.
"Over the last 50 days, the government has been ignoring the demands of the people and using only police force to try to suppress voices, causing countless Hong Kong people to despair," the union said in a statement on its Facebook page.
