Cathay Pacific Cuts 500 Flights Ahead of Typhoon Impacting Hong Kong Airport

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is set to suspend all passenger flights for a significant period ahead of the impending arrival of ‘super typhoon’ Ragasa. This unprecedented closure will last for 36 hours, beginning in the evening of September 23, 2025, and continuing until September 25, 2025. Notably, this closure surpasses previous typhoon-related stoppages, which have ranged from 13 to 20 hours.

Cathay Pacific, the primary airline operating from the airport, announced they will have to cancel over 500 flights during this period, impacting tens of thousands of travelers.

The effects of Super Typhoon Ragasa are already being felt in the Philippines and Taiwan, where it has caused severe flooding and power outages. Thousands of residents have been evacuated, with many schools and businesses halting operations.

The Hong Kong Observatory has identified Ragasa as a super typhoon, with sustained winds reaching 143 miles per hour (230 km/h) near its center, akin to a Category Four hurricane. The forecast predicts “gale to storm force winds” in Hong Kong on September 24, 2025, along with heavy showers and substantial storm surges.

To prepare for the typhoon, airport authorities will implement the longest flight suspension in Hong Kong’s history, starting at 18:00 local time on September 23, 2025, and resuming at 06:00 on September 25, 2025.

In a recent statement, Cathay Pacific confirmed it expects to cancel over 500 flights due to the imminent storm. “Starting at 18:00 tomorrow, September 23, 2025, Cathay Pacific’s passenger flights to and from Hong Kong International Airport will pause until daytime operations resume on Thursday, September 25, 2025,” a spokesperson shared during a press briefing.

The airline also announced it would waiver refund fees for any tickets issued worldwide on or before September 21, 2025, covering confirmed bookings arriving in or departing from Hong Kong between September 23 and 25, 2025.

In response to the storm warnings, many residents are hurrying to supermarkets to gather food and essentials, leading to a scene reminiscent of the Lunar New Year. According to reports, items such as fresh vegetables, meat, and baked goods have quickly sold out, leaving shelves bare.

Local officials are taking proactive measures, including stacking sandbags and setting up flood barriers in vulnerable coastal areas. Additionally, the Education Bureau has announced the closure of all schools on September 23 and 24, 2025. The city’s hospital authority has also implemented special protocols to ensure services remain operational during the storm.

What preparations are you making as typhoon season approaches?