Airport Authority takes Typhoon York in its stride

(HONG KONG, 17 September 1999) - The Airport Authority (AA) stated that the majority of delayed flights were cleared by 3:00 pm today.

This rapid recovery to normal operations following the most destructive typhoon in 16 years is a tribute to the efforts and co-operation between AA, the airlines and all the service providers at the airport, said AA Acting Airport Management Director Howard Eng. Mr Eng added: "Today we will handle an estimated 150 extra flights. That represents a 33 per cent increase on our average of 450 flights a day."

The AA established an Operations Recovery Group at the Airport Emergency Centre (AEC), to co-ordinate delayed flights, and assist with the re-scheduling of some flights. This group also provided essential liaison with the various handling companies to ensure the maximum use of aircraft parking positions enabling flights to be unloaded and depart with the minimum of delay.

The AEC is brought into operation when the tropical cyclone signal No 8 is raised and is the focal point for communications enabling the airport to return to normal operations as soon as possible.

"Throughout the typhoon and during today, our maintenance teams quickly repaired typhoon damage, which was not serious. All roads were kept open and clear of debris," Mr Eng said. "And because of their efforts no flooding was experienced at the airport during the typhoon."

"There were some minor water leaks in the passenger terminal, but not a single glass panel was broken in a building with some 70,000 square metres of glass and 13,800 panels."

During Thursday night the airport apron and taxiways were swept and cleaned in preparation for the resumption of flights.

The Airport Express rail link operated throughout the night while in the terminal building AA staff provided blankets to passengers stranded overnight and many of the catering outlets remained open during the typhoon.

When flights resumed, the AA assisted airline staff with passenger flow and queuing, particularly in the check-in area with security personnel being deployed to ensure passengers were cared for in an orderly way.

The first flight after Typhoon York to land at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was Korean Air (flight No KE605), which touched down at 21:17 hrs. Thursday. The first departure after the typhoon was EL AL Israel Airlines' LY076 which departed at 02:44 hrs, 17 September.

Ref. PR-458