A general view shows Hong Kong's International Airport on Aug 14, 2019. (PHILIP FONG / AFP)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong High Court has indefinitely extended an interim injunction that bans protesters from impeding airport operations. Friday’s decision came after another protest to cripple all traffic to the Hong Kong International Airport was planned on Saturday by anti-government groups.

According to the judgement, "the smooth running of the airport is of crucial significance to Hong Kong, in particular the security and safety of its residents and travelers, its commercial interests, as well as its international reputation

The injunction, valid from Aug 14 to Aug 23, enjoined protesters from assembling at one of world’s busiest transport hubs. The injunction was issued amid escalating violence during protests that disrupted airport operations and led to the cancellation of nearly a thousand flights.

On Aug 13, an unauthorized sit-in protest at the airport turned violent when radicals attacked two men from the mainland, including a reporter working for the Beijing-based newspaper Global Times.

Judge Wilson Chan of the Court of First Instance of the High Court said Friday in the judgement that while disturbances at the airport have seemingly subsided after the grant of the interim injunction order on Aug 13, there is evidence of continuing threats to the airport in the coming weekend, including repeated calls in the social media to obstruct access control points to prevent passengers from entering the airport.

"Given the continuing threat of disturbances at the airport, I have no hesitation in continuing the order to maintain the status quo until trial or further order of the court," reads the judgement.

READ MORE: Calm returns as HK airport enforces High Court injunction

"The balance of convenience is strongly in favor of continuing the order," reads the judgement, stressing that "the smooth running of the airport is of crucial significance to Hong Kong, in particular the security and safety of its residents and travelers, its commercial interests, as well as its international reputation."

The airport authority said in a statement following the court's decision that it was in the process of obtaining sealed copies of the order and would publish the order in accordance with the court's requirements.

"Any person who neglects to obey or comply with the order, or any person who assists or incites, aids or abets another in disobeying the order may be held in contempt of court, and is liable to imprisonment or a fine," reads the statement, adding that enforcement proceedings may be taken to compel persons to comply with the order.The airport authority said in a statement following the court's decision that it was in the process of obtaining sealed copies of the order and would publish the order in accordance with the court's requirements.

Blocking roads connecting to the airport may constitute acts of unlawfully and willfully obstructing or interfering with the proper use of the airport, according to the statement.

"Persons are also restrained by the order from attending or participating in any demonstration or protest or public order event in the airport other than strictly in compliance with the order," according to the statement, adding that the order expressly provides that nothing in the order shall be construed as authorizing any demonstration, protest or public order event contrary to the HKSAR Public Order Ordinance.

The Airport Authority appealed to youngsters not to participate in or support acts that disrupt airport services and undermine the reputation of the airport

The airport authority started to implement an access control plan for the terminal buildings at the airport on Aug 14 as a new security measure after the disturbances. Only passengers with a valid air ticket or boarding pass for a flight in the next 24 hours and a valid travel document, or airport staff with relevant identification document will be allowed to enter the terminal buildings.

The airport authority said the access control plan will continue upon further notice.

VISITOR NUMBERS PLUMMETED

The number of visitor arrivals in Hong Kong has plunged 49.6 percent year-on-year during the period Aug 15 to 20 this year, according to the city's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development SAR Edward Yau Tang-wah.

A total of 31 countries have issued travel warnings for Hong Kong as of Friday.

In a statement published in several local newspapers, the Airport Authority appealed to youngsters not to participate in or support acts that disrupt airport services and undermine the reputation of the airport.

Tens of thousands of workers earn their living from airport-related industries, including aviation, tourism, logistics and trade, said the authority.

ALSO READ: HK airport enforces High Court injunction, lets in valid travelers

Meanwhile, seven civil aviation trade unions in Hong Kong issued a joint statement on Thursday, strongly condemning the demonstrators' attempt for continuing disturbances at the airport and appealing to the public not to participate in the illegal activities.

The demonstrators' earlier storming and besiege of the airport has inflicted immeasurable losses on Hong Kong International Airport's reputation and business, according to the statement, criticizing the demonstrators for their extremely selfish act of damaging the livelihood of large numbers of airport employees. 

In response to the call to block roads to the airport on Saturday, the city’s land transportation sector, in a newspaper advertisement, urged the protesters to avoid obstructing traffic, and costing professional drivers their livelihood. 

Meanwhile, the MTR Corp also said it might seek a court injunction as early as Friday evening to ban protesters from impeding the normal operation of its rail services.

(With Xinhua inputs)

jefferygu@chinadailyhk.com