Cathay Pacific will cancel all scheduled flights to and from Hong Kong for 36 hours, and fly some aircraft out of the Chinese territory as Super Typhoon Ragasa barrels through the region.
The airline will start winding down its operations at Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday, before suspending all flights to and from Hong Kong at 6 pm on September 23. Flights are not expected to resume until 6 am on September 25.
The Hong Kong Observatory has forecast Regasa to be closest to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on Wednesday morning, at which point the highest storm signal will be in effect, shutting down Hong Kong until the weather clears.
Cathay Pacific plans to move some of its aircraft out of Hong Kong to avoid the potential for damage from flying debris, although Hong Kong International Airport says it plans to remain open throughout the Super Typhoon.
In a statement, the airport said it expected “significant disruption” but currently planned to keep all three runways operational. Airport terminal buildings will also remain open as a refuge for stranded passengers.
Some restaurants and shops will also remain open, and the airport plans to create a temporary rest area for stranded passengers, offering essential supplies like bottled water and snacks, as well as mobile phone charging stations.
Cathay Pacific has issued a travel waiver, allowing passengers to cancel or delay their travel plans. The airline says passengers should, wherever possible, use the Cathay Pacific app or website to view their travel options and make changes.
The airline’s in-town check-in facilities at Hong Kong and Kowloon stations will also be shuttered for the same 36-hour period.
Before heading towards Hong Kong, Ragasa will sweep across several southern Chinese provinces, with Shenzhen preparing to evacuate as many as 400,000 residents over fears the typhoon could cause mass destruction.
