Australian exporters are watching closely after Cathay Pacific grounded its cargo flights into Hong Kong International Airport, with the move expected to put significant pressure on supplies of fresh produce into the region if it remains unresolved.

The Hong Kong authorities last week increased quarantine requirements for aircrew from three to seven days’ mandatory hotel quarantine, prompting Cathay to stop all cargo flights into Hong Kong International Airport for seven days while the embattled airline scrambles to redesign rosters and find alternative accommodation for pilots and crew.