A total of 165 flights, or 31 percent of Wednesday's total scheduled flight movements, were canceled at Hong Kong International Airport, the Airport Authority said Wednesday.

The Airport Authority believes that the outbreak of the atypical pneumonia and the World Health Organization's subsequent advisory to travelers have dampened the demand for air traffic, particularly since the beginning of this month.

According to notifications received form airlines so far, 25 percent of the total scheduled flights for April has been canceled, the authority said.

In a related development, Cathay Pacific Airways, the biggest airline in Hong Kong, has implemented a heightened hygiene program at airline facilities and on board all aircraft and launched a company-wide health education campaign.

Front-line staff of Cathay Pacific have been reminded to remain alert at check-in counters, boarding gates and even on board the aircraft before each flight departs for any passenger who appears ill and refer them for medical assessment or medical clearance prior to flying.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2003)