Hong Kong airport police have arrested a 35-year-old mainland Chinese man suspected of stealing HK$25,000 (US$3,200) in foreign currency from a fellow passenger's carry-on luggage aboard an inbound flight from Kuala Lumpur, amid a surge in cabin thefts at the city’s airport.
The incident came to light on Saturday when a male passenger reported that his money had been taken from his luggage stored in an overhead compartment during the flight. Airport police announced the arrest on Sunday following preliminary investigations, with the suspect remaining in custody on suspicion of theft.
This case is part of a broader trend of in-flight thefts plaguing Hong Kong International Airport. In the first 10 months of 2024, the city recorded 169 cases of cabin theft on inbound flights, with stolen property totaling HK$4.3 million.
In a separate incident on the same day, police arrested a 39-year-old mainland Chinese man for smoking in the lavatory and engaging in “indecent behaviour” in the aisle on a flight from South Africa. His actions reportedly caused unease among passengers and disrupted order on board.
The second suspect was arrested for breaching the Aviation Security Ordinance. He has since been released on bail pending further investigation.
Authorities have not released additional details about the victims or the specific flights involved, but the arrests highlight ongoing security challenges at one of the world's busiest airports.
