Super Typhoon Yagi, approaching the region on Thursday, caused significant flight disruptions at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Haikou Meilan International Airport. At HKIA, 118 flights were delayed and 44 were cancelled, impacting airlines such as Cathay Pacific, HK Express, Greater Bay Airlines, and several Chinese carriers. As a precautionary measure, 38 flights were cancelled early on Thursday, and airport management implemented measures to support passengers and staff. These included extending operating hours for restaurants and the automated people mover system, setting up temporary rest areas, and arranging transport for staff. A taxi distribution system, implemented following the chaos caused by Typhoon Koinu last year, allowed passengers to wait inside the terminal during severe weather. The Airport Express continued operating, potentially extending its hours, while some bus routes were suspended. In Haikou, 20 flights were delayed and 54 cancelled. Airlines adjusted their schedules proactively, resulting in widespread disruptions. Passengers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Cathay Pacific announced no flights were directly cancelled due to the typhoon but urged passengers to arrive early and offered flexible ticket changes. HK Express cancelled 22 flights, Greater Bay Airlines cancelled four and rescheduled two, and Hong Kong Airlines cancelled two flights for Friday. The situation remained fluid as the storm continued its course, and passengers were encouraged to stay informed about flight updates. In response to the impending storm, the Hong Kong Observatory hoisted the No. 8 signal at 6:20 PM on Thursday, indicating the imminent impact of the storm. ‘Yagi’ is a Japanese word for ‘goat,’ also the name of the Capricornus constellation in astronomy.
