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Qantas and Cathay Pacific are among the airlines cancelling or suspending hundreds of flights through Hong Kong as a “super-typhoon” bears down on the city.
Typhoon Ragasa, which has already passed over the Philippines, is expected to pass south of Hong Kong and Macau on Tuesday, bringing winds of up to 220 km/h. More than 700 flights into and out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) are expected to be impacted over 36 hours.
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Qantas has confirmed it is cancelling eight Hong Kong flights before Thursday morning, with passengers offered free rebookings or travel credits. The Flying Kangaroo currently flies daily from Sydney and Melbourne to Hong Kong.
For its part, Cathay Pacific says it is cancelling “select morning and afternoon flights on Tuesday, and all flights arriving in and departing from Hong Kong between 6pm Tuesday and 6am Thursday”, with around 500 flights affected.
“We are fully committed to ensuring the safety of our colleagues and operations. At the same time, we will have sufficient resources in place to resume flight operations once the storm passes,” the airline said.
“We are positioning some of our aircraft away from Hong Kong and expect a staggered and gradual resumption to our schedule throughout Thursday into Friday.”
In a statement on Monday, Airport Authority Hong Kong said HKIA will stay open, though there will be “significant disruption to flight operations” starting at 6pm local time on Tuesday.
“AAHK has been maintaining close communications and coordination with the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and airlines, prioritising safety and seeking to address passenger needs,” the statement read.
“AAHK and the airport community are fully prepared and standing by for action. The three runways at HKIA will remain operational, and the terminal building will continue to stay open.
“The Airport Emergency Centre will be activated, enabling various units of the airport community, including CAD and airlines, to coordinate closely to formulate and implement contingency measures.
“They include securing air bridges, strengthening drainage and flood prevention measures on airport roads and nearby worksites.”
Other carriers reportedly cancelling or suspending Hong Kong flights include Hong Kong Airlines and budget airline HK Express.
