China's aviation regulator demanded Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific Airways suspend personnel who have engaged in protests from staffing flights into its airspace from today.

Key points: Chinese Civil Administration said Cathay crew who engaged in protest pose a safety threat

Chinese Civil Administration said Cathay crew who engaged in protest pose a safety threat Crew members without approval will not be allowed into Chinese airspace

Crew members without approval will not be allowed into Chinese airspace Carrie Lam claims the protests are dragging Hong Kong's economy

Hong Kong has been embroiled in increasingly violent anti-Government street protests for the past two months, which a top Chinese official described this week as the greatest crisis since its return from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Last week, a Cathay pilot was among more than 40 people charged with rioting for allegedly taking part in violent clashes with the police near Beijing's main representative office in the city.

On Friday night, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said Cathay crew who have engaged in the protests pose a threat to aviation safety in mainland China, according to a statement on its website.

The aviation authority ordered Cathay to provide identification information for its crew on mainland-bound flights.

Crew members that have not gained the authority's approval will not be allowed into its airspace, including on flights bound for other destinations.

The airline has also been ordered to draw up proposals to strengthen safety and security, said the statement.

Hundreds of flights forced to cancel earlier this week

Protesters flood the main shopping district in Hong Kong, harming its economy. ( Reuters: Kim Kyung-Hoon )

In response, a Cathay Pacific spokesperson said: "We have received the directive and are studying it very carefully. We are treating it seriously and are following up accordingly."

"The safety of our passengers is always the top priority of Cathay Pacific. There is zero tolerance for any inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour that may affect aviation safety. We deal with these incidents very seriously."

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On Thursday, Cathay said it respects "everyone's right to express themselves in a peaceful and respectful manner", while insisting it "recognises that Hong Kong [special administrative system] is a part of China".

"We do not condone any activities that jeopardise the stability of Hong Kong," it said.

On Monday aviation workers joined a strike that gridlocked Hong Kong, forcing airlines, including Cathay, to cancel hundreds of flights.

Responding to a question on the protests at a press conference earlier this week, Cathay chairman John Slosar said the company respected its staff's opinions.

"We certainly wouldn't dream of telling them what they have to think about something. They're all adults, they're all service professionals. We respect them greatly," he said.

Chinese state-owned media outlet Global Times ran news stories this week highlighting Cathay employees' participation in the ongoing protests, stating that its "fence-sitting approach" could "taint its image".

Economic downturn 'coming very quickly': Carrie Lam

Carrie Lam says the city's economic recovery will take a long time. ( Reuters: Eloisa Lopez )

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam told reporters that companies in the Asian financial hub were "very worried" about the economic fallout from the protests, which began in June and have become increasingly violent.

Ms Lam urged an end to the violence, claiming that the protests were dragging on the city's economy.

"We have had two months of political dispute," she said after meeting business representatives and senior officials, warning that a downturn "is coming very quickly".

"Some people have described it as coming like a tsunami … the economic recovery will take a long time," she said.

Reuters/ABC