Last October, Typhoon “Puppy” hit Hong Kong, resulting in the hoisting of a Signal No. 9 typhoon warning in a short period of time. This led to over a thousand arriving passengers being stranded at the airport, criticized for poor treatment which affected the city’s image. The Airport Authority released new reception measures in adverse weather conditions yesterday, hoping that passengers stranded due to the typhoon warning could swiftly and orderly leave the airport after the downgrade to Signal No. 8.
According to the Airport Authority’s Director of Airport Operations, Yiu Siu-chung, during last year’s heavy rainfall period in Hong Kong, there were no instances of water accumulation on the runway, and the overall impact on airport operations was minimal. The new measures introduced this time aim to facilitate the swift and orderly departure of stranded passengers after the downgrade to Signal No. 8. Yiu mentioned that when the Observatory predicts a typhoon affecting Hong Kong, the Airport Authority begins to work. Before the typhoon strikes, airlines have already started making contingency plans, arranging for flights to arrive early or be delayed.
Yiu cited regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organization, stating that airports worldwide should remain open under any weather condition to allow aircraft to land. When the Observatory predicts a typhoon affecting Hong Kong, the Airport Authority begins working. Before the typhoon strikes, airlines have already started making contingency plans, arranging for flights to arrive early or be delayed.
The new measures include setting up temporary rest areas in the passenger terminal building, providing 500 to 1,000 seats and supplies like food and water for stranded passengers to use. The rest area also features 10 mobile charging stations with 24 compartments each, allowing passengers to securely charge their phones in lockable compartments without worry of theft.
Last year, there were complaints from passengers about slow wireless network speeds at the airport. Yiu Siu-chung stated that the Authority has upgraded the network system in recent years, but the network congestion occurs when too many people log in simultaneously. Therefore, in the future, they will add mobile routers to disperse the signal and keep the network smooth.
Regarding external transportation, Yiu mentioned the taxi queueing system that completed testing in March this year. This system will be activated when Signal No. 8 typhoon warning or Black Rainstorm warning is in effect, allowing passengers to call for taxis from the arrival hall without needing to wait outside in the rain. Yiu mentioned that in extreme weather conditions, airline staff will notify passengers of relevant arrangements before landing, and passengers can also check the taxi queue information from their mobile phones or on large billboards at the passenger terminal building, making the process convenient, similar to making restaurant reservations.
As for the Airport Express, a vital transportation artery at the airport, Yiu Siu-chung acknowledged it as the quickest way to evacuate passengers. Each train can accommodate 800 passengers. When asked if there would be new operational arrangements in adverse weather conditions this year, he mentioned that the MTR Corporation conducted an independent safety assessment, confirming that the Airport Express will not operate under a Signal No. 9 typhoon warning. In other words, it will resume operations only after Signal No. 8 or 3 is in effect.
On another note, the Airport Express System, also known as the “Mini Train,” will undergo upgrade tests in July to meet the passenger volume after the completion of the three-run system. The Authority anticipates the project to take a year, and the trains will be closed earlier on non-busy days. The last train departure time will be brought forward from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m., affecting routes from T1 East Hall, West Hall to T1 Midfield Concourses. Buses will be provided by the airport to transport residents and passengers arriving after the last train service.