Hong Kong International Airport will suspend all passenger flights for 36 hours starting Tuesday evening, September 23. This measure is in response to the approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest storms expected to hit the Asian financial hub in years. Several airlines have already cancelled numerous flights, impacting thousands of travelers.
Key Takeaways
- Hong Kong International Airport to close for 36 hours from Tuesday evening.
- Closure is due to Super Typhoon Ragasa, a powerful storm.
- Cathay Pacific cancelled over 500 flights; SIA and Scoot also affected.
- Residents are stockpiling supplies, leading to long supermarket queues.
- Weather is expected to worsen rapidly, with hurricane-force winds.
Airport Operations Halted
Hong Kong's primary airport will cease operations for passenger flights from 8 PM on Tuesday, September 23, until 8 AM on Thursday, September 25. This decision aims to ensure safety as Typhoon Ragasa approaches. Airlines like Qantas Airways have confirmed the closure and are contacting affected customers.
An official spokesperson for Airport Authority Hong Kong stated that the authority is closely monitoring the typhoon's development. They have initiated preparations to manage the storm's impact. However, a formal public announcement regarding the closure from the Airport Authority itself was pending as of Monday evening.
Airline Cancellations Mount
Major airlines operating through Hong Kong have announced significant flight disruptions. Cathay Pacific, a Hong Kong-based carrier, expects to cancel more than 500 flights. These cancellations will begin at 6 PM on Tuesday, September 23, with operations resuming during daytime hours on Thursday.
"Starting at 6pm tomorrow, Sep 23, Cathay Pacific's passenger flights arriving at and departing from Hong Kong International Airport will cease operations until resuming during daytime hours on Thursday," a Cathay Pacific spokeswoman stated.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has also cancelled 12 flights to and from Hong Kong. These include flight SQ898 from Changi Airport on Tuesday at 7 PM and SQ899 from Hong Kong on Thursday at 9:05 AM. Additionally, two flights between Singapore and Shenzhen, SQ856 and SQ857, have been cancelled.
Flight Cancellations Summary
- Cathay Pacific: Over 500 flights cancelled.
- Singapore Airlines (SIA): 12 flights to/from Hong Kong cancelled, plus 2 to/from Shenzhen.
- Scoot: 8 flights cancelled to Shantou, Macau, and Hong Kong.
Scoot's Affected Routes
Scoot confirmed the cancellation of eight flights due to the adverse weather. These include services to Shantou, Macau, and Hong Kong. Specifically, flights TR128 and TR129 between Singapore and Shantou on Tuesday are cancelled. Flights TR904 and TR905 between Singapore and Macau on both Tuesday and Wednesday are also affected.
Furthermore, Scoot's TR980 from Singapore to Hong Kong and TR981 from Hong Kong to Singapore, scheduled for Wednesday, have been cancelled. Scoot is contacting affected passengers to offer alternative flights or full refunds. The airline emphasized its ongoing monitoring of Typhoon Ragasa.
Typhoon Ragasa Intensifies
Hong Kong's Observatory announced it would issue the lowest typhoon signal at noon on Monday. This signal would then be upgraded to the second-highest level on Monday night, between 8 PM and 10 PM. Weather conditions are predicted to worsen rapidly from Tuesday onwards.
The city expects gale-force to storm-force winds to impact densely populated areas on Wednesday. Winds are forecast to reach hurricane force offshore and on high ground. This severe weather poses a significant risk to infrastructure and public safety.
Typhoon Severity Scale
Typhoon signals in Hong Kong range from 1 (standby) to 10 (hurricane force). A signal 8 or higher typically leads to widespread closures of schools, businesses, and transport services, including the airport.
Citywide Preparations Underway
In anticipation of the typhoon, Hong Kong residents began stockpiling essential goods on Monday morning. Reuters witnesses reported long queues at supermarkets. Many stores quickly sold out of products like milk. Prices for vegetables at fresh markets reportedly more than tripled their normal rates.
The widespread preparations highlight the seriousness with which the city is treating Typhoon Ragasa. Authorities in the Philippines also responded to the storm's threat. Work and classes were suspended across Metro Manila and other parts of the country on Monday as Ragasa moved towards northern Luzon, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain.
Impact on Public Services
The Civil Aviation Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the airport closure. However, the actions taken by airlines and the Airport Authority confirm the operational halt. Such closures are critical for public safety and to prevent damage to aircraft and airport facilities during severe weather events.
- Travelers: Advised to check airline websites for the latest updates.
- Residents: Encouraged to secure homes and stay indoors during the storm.
- Businesses: Many non-essential businesses are expected to close, following government advisories.
The situation remains dynamic as the typhoon approaches. Further updates on flight schedules and public advisories are expected from local authorities and airlines.
