Cathay Pacific Flight CX719, Boeing 777, bound for Jakarta, returned to the Hong Kong International Airport as a precautionary measure after the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit, a spokesman for Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said Thursday.

The B777 aircraft departed at 4:43 p.m. Thursday and landed safely at 4:54 p.m.. Shortly after departure, the pilot requested to return immediately to the Hong Kong International Airport due to smoke observed in the cockpit. Airport Fire Contingent was put on full alert and air traffic controllers made arrangements for the aircraft to land via the shortest route. Other traffic was held off to give way to the emergency flight. There were 184 passengers on board with no casualty reported.

An investigation is being conducted into the incident by the airline. CAD will closely monitor the progress.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2006)