Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will allow travellers who have booked tickets to Japan to “modify” their flights after Beijing’s earlier call for Chinese citizens to avoid going to the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the airline said it was “closely monitoring the situation” as tensions escalated over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo could deploy military forces in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

“In light of the travel advisories issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Hong Kong SAR Government, we are offering customers who have booked flights to Japan the option to modify their travel plans,” Cathay said in a statement.

“We will do our utmost to provide flexibility and accommodate their needs.”

Passengers who have booked flights directly with the carrier can contact the airline if they wish to change their bookings. Those who booked through travel agents should reach out to their agents directly.

But the airline did not specify whether passengers would be allowed to cancel or change their Japan-bound flights for free.

The Post has reached out to HK Express, the budget arm of Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and Greater Bay Airlines for comment.