SAA flights cancelled as Hong Kong protests spill over into airport

More than 200 flights were cancelled on Monday, including two SAA flights, after pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong spilled into the region’s international airport.

According to aircraft tracking service FlightRadar24, flights arriving and departing Hong Kong International were either delayed or cancelled. That said, the service is still tracking a number of aircraft departing and arriving at the time of writing.

South African travellers were also affected on Monday, with two direct flights cancelled between the city and Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International.

“South African Airways (SAA) advises its passengers and customers that the airline received notification of protest action affecting Hong Kong International Airport. The authorities in Hong Kong have suspended air operations to and from Hong Kong International Airport,” SAA added in a press release.

Among the cancelled flights is SAA 287, the airline’s direct service between Hong Kong and Johannesburg. The Johannesburg to Hong Kong flight, bearing flight number SAA 286, and due to land in Hong Kong on Tuesday, was also cancelled.

FlightRadar24 also noted that other flights, including Qatar Airways 816, departed for Hong Kong, but returned to its originating airport.

Qatar Airways flight #QR816 with destination Hong Kong has turned around and is returning to Dohahttps://t.co/4yYJEOc6CZ pic.twitter.com/sEtWiO0LGg

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) August 12, 2019

While other airlines took to Twitter to announce cancellations, including Cathay Pacific, which uses Hong Kong as its primary hub.

Flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport this evening are cancelled until early morning on Tuesday 13 August. Check-in and immigration services are suspended. 1/2

— Cathay Pacific (@cathaypacific) August 12, 2019

Malaysia Airlines will be cancelling its flights between Malaysia and Hong Kong from 12 until 13 August afternoon, as Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)’s authorities suspend all flight departures and arrival into Hong Kong. More info: https://t.co/utcOc6tkxT

— Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) August 12, 2019

Hong Kong International was the 8th busiest passenger airport in the world in 2018, only behind Tokyo Haneda in terms of busiest in Asia. It is, however, ranked as the busiest airport in terms of cargo traffic in the world.

Feature image: Jorge Láscar via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)