Hong Kong airport scrambles to process flight backlog after Typhoon Hato; will operate extra runway through the night
Long lines at airport and on public transport around the city as Hong Kong picks up the pieces after storm
Hong Kong International Airport was on Wednesday night scrambling to handle a backlog of flights left by Typhoon Hato, operating both its runways through the night instead of one as per normal.
The storm prompted the Hong Kong Observatory to issue its highest typhoon warning, a No 10 signal, earlier in the day, which was later downgraded to No 8 at 2.10pm and No 3 at 5.10pm as the storm moved farther away from the city.
The No 10 warning indicates hurricane force winds above 118km/h and gusts exceeding 220km/h are expected.
Flights finally started to depart and arrive from the Chek Lap Kok airport at around 5pm. The signal was lowered to No 1 at 6.20pm.
The Airport Authority said 480 flights had been cancelled as of 5pm on Wednesday, ruining the travel plans of thousands of passengers.
“The two runways at the airport will operate overnight. The Airport Authority and its service contractors will send more staff to assist passengers,” said Chapman Fong, the authority’s general manager for Terminal 1.
