Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. will permit cabin crew to wear surgical masks while operating mainland China flights due to concerns over a new coronavirus, and allow passengers to Wuhan to change or cancel flights without charge through Feb. 15.

The airline's flight attendant union Tuesday had called for permission to wear masks on all flights globally, as cases have also been confirmed in the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

The coronavirus outbreak, which began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, struck as millions of Chinese prepared to travel for the Lunar New Year, heightening contagion risks.