Cathay Pacific Airways has terminated the employment of two pilots, the airline said today, after making them available last week to join protests in Hong Kong.

“In response to media inquiries, Cathay Pacific confirms that the employment of two pilots has been terminated under the terms and conditions of their contract of employment,” the airline, which has its headquarters in Hong Kong, said in a statement.

The Chinese aviation regulator asked Cathay last week to halt personnel involved in illegal demonstrations in the city.

The airline later released a pilot who was among more than 40 people accused of participating in violent clashes with police near the Beijing representative’s office in Hong Kong.

Yesterday, a second pilot was made available.