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

Hong Kong International Airport is preparing for a rare shutdown as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches the city. According to Bloomberg, passenger flights will be halted for 36 hours, from 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday until 6 a.m. Thursday, marking one of the longest closures in the airport’s recent history. A formal announcement is expected later on Monday.

Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) has already updated its website with a notice confirming the planned suspension of operations at the airport. Other airlines are expected to follow suit as the typhoon intensifies.

The Hong Kong Observatory has confirmed that Ragasa has strengthened into a super typhoon, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane. Forecasts show the storm passing dangerously close to Hong Kong before making landfall in Guangdong province, China, on Wednesday. Officials warn that heavy rain, powerful winds, and storm surges could severely disrupt transportation and daily life across the region.

This unprecedented 36-hour flight suspension highlights the growing impact of extreme weather events on global aviation. Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, rarely halts operations on such a scale, making this shutdown a significant development for travelers and the airline industry alike.

Travelers are urged to check with airlines for updates, as the suspension is expected to affect tens of thousands of passengers. The shutdown underscores the vulnerability of major transport infrastructure to severe tropical cyclones in Asia, particularly during peak storm season.

With Ragasa’s landfall imminent, authorities emphasize the need for residents and businesses to prepare for potential disruptions. The typhoon’s strength and path will determine the extent of damage and recovery efforts in the days following its passage.