HKIA Holds Comprehensive Exercise to Prepare for Typhoon Season

(HONG KONG, 17 March 2017)  –  A multi-scenario typhoon preparedness exercise, "Summer Blow 2017", was completed at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) earlier today, simulating various weather-related contingency situations to test the airport's response capabilities in crowd management, baggage handling, flight rescheduling and information dissemination.

Over 400 role-playing passengers and participants from more than 25 organisations, including business partners and government departments, took part in the exercise to refresh and train staff on the airport’s contingency and business continuity plans during inclement weather.

C K Ng, Executive Director, Airport Operations, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), said, "As one of the busiest airports in the world, HKIA needs a well-prepared contingency plan in times of inclement weather to ensure safety and minimise inconveniences to passengers. This annual exercise provides a good opportunity for the entire airport community, including airlines, ground handling agents, service operators, government agencies and other airport-related organisations to familiarise themselves with the contingency plan."

The exercise began at around midnight when the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) advised that a simulated tropical storm was approaching. In response the AA, Hong Kong Police Force, airlines, MTRC, ground handling agents and various other parties activated their respective contingency procedures. The Airport Emergency Centre was activated to coordinate with various parties and manage potential disruptions. In addition, the Flight Information Display System was updated to display the latest information on the simulated typhoon and its impact on flights. A special baggage handling arrangement was also put in place to transfer misconnected bags to a designated area.

When the simulated weather conditions worsened, higher typhoon signals were hoisted and more flights were affected, the AA and airlines worked closely together to activate flight rescheduling. In the terminals, airport staff deployed crowd management contingency measures to assist role-playing passengers waiting at check-in aisles. Staff set up designated counters and displays for airline ground staff to reconfirm flight bookings with passengers. The AA and airlines also tested their communication procedures to keep members of the public up to date on the latest flight situations.

The whole exercise was completed at approximately 0400hrs.

The following organisations took part in the exercise by role-playing as affected passengers:   •   Agency for Volunteer Service   •   Community College of City University   •   HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education   •   Hong Kong Adventure Corps   •   Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps   •   Hong Kong Institution of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi and Haking Wong Campuses)   •   School of Continuing and Professional Education, City University of Hong Kong

Active participants in the exercise included:   •   Aviation Security Company Limited   •   Cathay Pacific Airways Limited   •   Cathay Pacific Services Limited   •   China Airlines   •   Custom and Excise Department   •   Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited   •   Hong Kong Airlines Limited   •   Hong Kong Airport Services Limited   •   Hong Kong Aviation Ground Services Limited   •   Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited   •   Hong Kong Express Airways Limited   •   Hong Kong Observatory   •   Hong Kong Police Force   •   Hong Kong St. John Ambulance   •   Immigration Department   •   Jardine Airport Services Limited   •   MTR Corporation Limited   •   SATS HK Limited   •   United Parcel Service of America, Inc. (UPS)   •   Worldwide Flight Services – Baggage Handling