Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has announced the reopening of its North Runway at approximately 4:20 p.m. on October 21, following a temporary closure caused by a cargo aircraft incident the previous day.

The North Runway has been put on standby mode, with availability subject to air traffic control, to facilitate the removal of the aircraft from the sea.

After the cargo aircraft veered off the North Runway upon landing, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has been fully engaged in recovery efforts. The airport's North Runway had been temporarily closed to facilitate rescue and on-site evidence collection.

The rescue operation was completed at around noon the next day, while the relevant authorities also finished collecting evidence at around 4:00 p.m. on the same day.

AAHK said it immediately started the clean-up and restoration work on the North Runway, including replacing the damaged fences on the side of the runway, runway lights and other facilities, as well as repairing and clearing the runway's surface, among others.

The essential restoration work of the North Runway and its related facilities were also completed early this morning. AAHK, together with Civil Aviation Department, inspected the site and confirmed the runway is safe for operations and reopening.

As the aircraft remains in the waters adjacent to the runway, AAHK said the North Runway will be temporarily on standby mode, so as to facilitate the removal operation.

AAHK is coordinating the removal operation, including contacting the aircraft's owner and preparing the necessary equipment, such as large cranes and vessels.