Hong Kong is canceling hundreds of flights as Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful storm on earth this year so far, approaches, prompting a 36-hour suspension of passenger operations at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) starting 6 p.m. on September 23.

Cathay Pacific alone, the city's flag carrier, is expected to cancel more than 500 flights during the suspension. Its low-cost arm, HK Express, plans to cut 100 flights, while Hong Kong Airlines will cancel around 90. Greater Bay Airlines has also grounded 22 flights in response to Super Typhoon Ragasa.

HKIA said it will remain operational as Super Typhoon Ragasa nears Hong Kong, though the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) expects "significant disruption" to flight schedules from September 23 to 24. All flights are expected to be suspended from 6 p.m. on September 23 until 6 a.m. on September 25.

AAHK said it has been maintaining close communications and coordination with the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and airlines as it advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest flight information and proceed to the airport only when their seats and flight times are confirmed.

Disruptions to cargo

While the suspension primarily affects passenger flights, cargo operations are also expected to face delays, as disruptions to bellyhold capacity and overall flight schedules complicate forwarder planning.

"As a result of Super Typhoon Ragasa, a number of flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday, 23 September and Wednesday, 24 September have been affected," Cathay Cargo said in an update on September 22.

"Based on the latest weather forecast and expected operating conditions, departing flights will resume progressively from Thursday morning," it added, noting that further flight delays and cancellations may be required based on weather conditions and the typhoon's path over the coming two days.

Cathay Pacific said specifically, three long-haul flights departing Hong Kong on the morning of September 23 to Zurich, Los Angeles, and New York-JFK have been cancelled, so are select flights departing Hong Kong in the morning and afternoon of September 23. 

It confirmed that "all flights arriving in and departing from Hong Kong between 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23 and 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 25," are also suspended.

Hong Kong authorities said they are closely monitoring Super Typhoon Ragasa and have begun preparations ahead of its arrival. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the typhoon signal No. 1 at 12:20 p.m. on Monday and upgraded it to signal No. 3 at 9:40 p.m. the same day. The Observatory has announced plans to hoist its warning to signal No. 8 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesday, depending on local wind conditions.

AAHK said 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 also be activated.