Hong Kong Airport to Suspend Flights for 36 Hours as Super Typhoon Ragasa Nears

Hong Kong International Airport is preparing for an unprecedented 36 hour suspension of all passenger flights in response to the imminent arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The shutdown, set to begin at 18:00 on Tuesday, September 23, and continue until 06:00 on Thursday, September 25, marks one of the longest operational halts in the airport’s recent history.

The decision comes as Ragasa intensifies in the South China Sea, with sustained winds reaching up to 230 km/h (143 mph). The Hong Kong Observatory has escalated storm warnings, anticipating further upgrades to signal level 8 as the typhoon approaches. Airlines, including Cathay Pacific, have announced over 500 flight cancellations and waived rebooking fees to accommodate affected passengers.

Airport Authority Hong Kong has initiated comprehensive safety protocols, including runway inspections, staff coordination, and protective measures for infrastructure. The move aims to avoid the kind of damage and disruption seen during past typhoons such as Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018.

Beyond aviation, the storm has already triggered evacuations and school closures across the Philippines and Taiwan. In Hong Kong, the Education Bureau has suspended classes for Tuesday and Wednesday. Emergency services and ground transport teams remain on high alert to manage potential flooding, landslides, and infrastructure strain.