Key Summary
- Super Typhoon Ragasa is tracking toward Hong Kong, with sustained winds near 230 km/h (143 mph), equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.
- Hong Kong International Airport is weighing a 36-hour shutdown, potentially halting all passenger flights from Tuesday evening through Thursday morning.
- Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines are waiving rebooking fees for affected travelers between September 23–25.
- Authorities say the shutdown would be one of the longest in recent history, aimed at avoiding a repeat of Typhoon Koinu (2023), when more than 10,000 passengers were stranded.
- Cargo operations may resume late Wednesday, but no decision has been finalized.
- With Hong Kong handling 1,100 flights and 190,000 passengers daily, hundreds of thousands of travelers could face disruption.
Observatory Warns of Dangerous Storm Surge
Authorities are warning of one of the most powerful storms to threaten the city in years as Super Typhoon Ragasa tracks toward the region. The Hong Kong Observatory has issued alerts for heavy rain, gale- to storm-force winds, and significant storm surge by midweek.
Forecasters say water levels in low-lying areas may rival those seen during Typhoon Hato (2017) and Super Typhoon Mangkhut (2018), when flooding and infrastructure damage crippled large parts of the city. Ragasa, currently packing winds near 230 km/h (143 mph), is forecast to intensify further as it edges closer to Guangdong.
On average, the airport handles 1,100 flights and 190,000 passengers a day, serving 58 million travelers in the 12 months through August. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., which accounts for 45% of flights in and out of Hong Kong, faces the largest operational burden.
Cathay Pacific said on its website it would waive ticket change fees to make it easier for passengers to rearrange travel plans. Other local carriers, including Hong Kong Airlines and Greater Bay Airlines, have also waived penalties for travel between September 23 and 25.
Aiming to Avoid a Repeat of Typhoon Koinu
Airport and aviation officials are weighing plans to suspend all passenger flights from 6 p.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Thursday, a move that would mark one of the longest shutdowns in Hong Kong’s aviation history. The precaution comes as authorities seek to avoid a repeat of Typhoon Koinu in October 2023, when more than 10,000 passengers were stranded overnight after flight suspensions were delayed.
Airlines are already preparing for the disruption. Cathay Pacific, which accounts for about 45% of Hong Kong International Airport’s traffic, is planning to move unused aircraft out of the city to protect them from potential storm damage. Other carriers are expected to follow suit.
To reduce the impact on travelers, airlines are planning to reschedule long-haul flights ahead of the shutdown, while many short-haul flights leaving on Tuesday may not return before the storm hits. Airport sources also noted that a limited number of cargo operations could resume as early as late Wednesday, though no final decision has been confirmed.
Airlines Waive Change Fees
Carriers have already begun rolling out flexible travel policies for passengers.
- Cathay Pacific announced it will waive change fees for flights to and from Hong Kong between September 23 and 25.
- Hong Kong Airlines and Greater Bay Airlines also introduced similar measures, allowing rebooking without penalties and, in some cases, refunds.
The steps are aimed at easing congestion and giving passengers more flexibility ahead of what is likely to be one of the busiest storm-related disruptions since 2018.
Rare Large-Scale Evacuation
Large-scale aircraft relocations are unusual in Hong Kong, where planes are typically secured on the ground during storms. But with Ragasa forecast to bring sustained winds of 230 km/h (143 mph) — equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane — carriers are preparing to reposition planes to minimize the risk of long-term damage and ensure quicker recovery once the storm passes.
Economic and Operational Impact
On a normal day, Hong Kong International Airport handles 1,100 flights and 190,000 passengers, serving 58 million travelers annually. A prolonged shutdown will significantly impact airlines, cargo operators, and the local economy, especially with Cathay Pacific bearing an outsized share of the disruption.
The airport’s response underscores the risks posed to Hong Kong’s 7.5 million residents and financial hub status as climate change drives increasingly severe typhoon seasons across the region.
Ragasa’s Threat to Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Observatory said Ragasa has already intensified into a super typhoon, packing sustained winds of 143 miles per hour (230 km/h) near its core — equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.
Officials warned that the storm poses risks not only to air travel but also to the city’s densely populated 7.5 million residents and its economy. Forecasters added that storm surge could push sea levels in coastal areas to heights comparable to Typhoons Hato (2017) and Mangkhut (2018), both of which caused widespread damage.
FAQs: Super Typhoon Ragasa and Hong Kong Flight Disruptions
When will Hong Kong International Airport suspend flights?
Officials are considering halting all passenger flights from 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, until 6 a.m. Thursday, September 25. Final confirmation is expected from the Airport Authority and Hong Kong Observatory.
Why is this closure significant?
If approved, it would be one of the longest airport shutdowns in recent history, surpassing past storm-related suspensions. Authorities are moving early to avoid a repeat of Typhoon Koinu in 2023, which left over 10,000 passengers stranded overnight.
Which airlines are most affected?
Cathay Pacific Airways, which accounts for 45% of airport traffic, faces the greatest impact. Hong Kong Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines, and HK Express are also heavily exposed.
Are airlines offering free rebooking?
Yes. Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines have announced waivers on change fees for flights between September 23 and 25. Some carriers are also allowing refunds, particularly for passengers scheduled to fly on September 24.
Will cargo flights continue?
A small number of cargo services may resume late Wednesday, depending on storm conditions. No final decision has been confirmed.
How strong is Super Typhoon Ragasa?
The storm has already intensified into a super typhoon, with sustained winds near 230 km/h (143 mph) — equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.
How many passengers could be affected?
Hong Kong International Airport typically handles 1,100 flights and 190,000 passengers per day. A 36-hour shutdown could affect hundreds of thousands of travelers and cargo operations.
What should travelers do?
- Check your airline’s website or app for real-time updates.
- Take advantage of free rebooking or refund options.
- Avoid traveling to the airport unless your flight is confirmed to operate.
- Stay updated through the Hong Kong Observatory and airline advisories.
