Chances of HKG airport disruption from Typhoon Mangkhut?

[Basalt]

Hi all,

We're flying CX into HKG on Friday (from MEL), flying out on Monday night on BA32 to LHR. Seems in the middle, Typhoon Mangkhut is due to pass rather close by on Sunday:

SUPER TYPHOON MANGKHUT Tracker | Cyclocane

It's currently a Super Typhoon Cat 5, though likely to be maybe +/- Cat 3-ish when it hits/misses HKG, though Macau is looking more like getting the guernsey atm. Any experiences or advice from AFFers re possible flight disruptions? I'm presuming a direct or near pass would shutdown HKG on the Sunday, we're concerned about follow on delays and cancellations, particularly to the incoming BA A380 that will be our BA32 out of there on the Monday night?

Cheers,
Basalt

 

[sudoer]

Highly likely to cause issues, and I suspect you may not have a very enjoyable weekend in HKG.

CX/KA are already rebooking and rerouting without penalty. Are your flights booked separately, or on the same itinerary?

Best advice I've found so far is the Japan Meteorological Agency. Mangkhut is referred to as TC 1822 on their site.

They are releasing a three day forecast which lists max gust speed on the 15th at 155kt = 290km/h, so still a category 5 on Friday.

 

[Basalt]

Highly likely to cause issues, and I suspect you may not have a very enjoyable weekend in HKG.

CX/KA are already rebooking and rerouting without penalty. Are your flights booked separately, or on the same itinerary?

Thank you for the response, we have an award booking, booked via QF, MEL-HKG-LHR-MUN on the one PNR. MEL-HKG on Friday with CX, HKG-LHR-MUN on BA, leaving just before midnight on Monday.

 

[sudoer]

Thank you for the response, we have an award booking, booked via QF, MEL-HKG-LHR-MUN on the one PNR. MEL-HKG on Friday with CX, HKG-LHR-MUN on BA, leaving just before midnight on Monday.

Fair enough. Assuming Mangkhut stays on the same path, I think CX134 and CX104 will get into HKG without issue, but if you're on CX178 Cathay may want to bump you to an earlier flight.

Best plan for some indoor activities on Saturday & Sunday!

 

[Scott K]

There's a T 3 currently in effect in HK, and the typhoon is expected to pass south of HK as of predictions from today. As for Macau copping it, well, I doubt it will be any worse than HK. While the T3 is unpleasant, it isn't the centre of the storm. That said, it should wash the streets nice and clean for your arrival.
Are you staying on the Island or in Kowloon?
I would strongly suggest keeping an eye on the Observatory website.
Hong Kong Observatory

 

[sudoer]

There's a T 3 currently in effect in HK, and the typhoon is expected to pass south of HK today. As for Macau copping it, well, I doubt it will be any worse than HK. While the T3 is unpleasant, it isn't the centre of the storm. That said, it should wash the streets nice and clean for your arrival.

The current T3 (Barijat) is nothing compared to what's coming.

 

[Scott K]

The current T3 (Barijat) is nothing compared to what's coming.

Yeah I should have clarified that it was for the current weather pattern.

 

[Scash]

We are on QF97 this Saturday BNE- HKG then EK383/71 HKG-DXB-CDG on Sunday. I have checked both QF & EK websites and there are no warnings or alerts. I also contacted Qantas and they said at this stage QF97 is flying as per normal.

 

[snabbu]

CX website doesn't sound too promising.
Typhoon Mangkhut is approaching Hong Kong

I'm transiting HKG on Tuesday - CX162 onto CX888. My concern is the expected knock on effects and that whatever plane is operating HKG-SYD which then turns into CX162 on Tuesday, won't get out of HKG.
Also on a QF award and currently in two minds about trying to switch to a QF flight direct to USA.

 

[Scott K]

CX website doesn't sound too promising.
Typhoon Mangkhut is approaching Hong Kong

I'm transiting HKG on Tuesday - CX162 onto CX888. My concern is the expected knock on effects and that whatever plane is operating HKG-SYD which then turns into CX162 on Tuesday, won't get out of HKG.
Also on a QF award and currently in two minds about trying to switch to a QF flight direct to USA.

The Observatory's current map is showing the eye passing quite a ways south of HK.
There'll definitely have a T3 warning, and a possibility of an 8. They are showing the probability as being 20% of severe impact on HK
Planes have landed at Lantau during 8s, but also have been turned away at 3s. It just depends on the wind direction.
I think the advice above is the best: If you can get it earlier, do it.

 

[mrsterryn]

Wish I had found this post earlier. My daughter in law has left Sydney on Qantas going to Hong Kong this morning
Hope all goes well
She didn't have any advice from Qantas 're changes

 

[sudoer]

My daughter in law has left Sydney on Qantas going to Hong Kong this morning

Flights to Hong Kong today will be fine.

QF127 tomorrow should get into HKG without issue too, however QF128 might have a delayed departure. Delays on 16-17th expected also.

 

[Scott K]

Wish I had found this post earlier. My daughter in law has left Sydney on Qantas going to Hong Kong this morning
Hope all goes well
She didn't have any advice from Qantas 're changes

If she’s arriving today she’ll be fine for arrival. But it may limit the transport options available if the storm gets above T3 warning once she’s there. It’ll be stinking hot on arrival though.

 

[sudoer]

New update on the Qantas site here: Travel updates | Qantas AU

Typhoon Mangkhut in Hong Kong SAR
Weather conditions associated with Typhoon Mangkhut in Hong Kong SAR have affected some Qantas services.

Flights QF117 Sydney-Hong Kong and QF118 Hong Kong-Sydney on Saturday 15 September 2018 have been cancelled.

All Qantas flights between Australia and Hong Kong on Sunday 16 September 2018 will be cancelled.

We are closely monitoring conditions and further flights could be impacted. We will contact you directly with any changes to your flights, and recommend you check your contact details are correct via Manage Booking.

Options are available for customers with tickets issued on/before 13 September 2018 to/from Hong Kong SAR for travel on/after 14 September 2018 and on/before 17 September 2018.

 

[sudoer]

Qantas have cancelled QF117 tomorrow (15/9) and rebooked passengers onto QF127, which gets into Hong Kong before the typhoon is due to hit.

 

[snabbu]

Decided not to take the risk and moved to QF11. No U availability initially but within 5 minutes a seat was opened up. Connection on AA up to YVR sorted so now the only thing left to deal with is hurricane florence on the east coast.

 

[cosi]

Typhoons are a regular event in this region in Spetmeber.

I was caught up this time last year with 2 seperate typhoons within a week of each other.

The situation is very fluid - conditions constantly changing.

On one sector, we left the gate but sat in the take off queu for 3 hours because in that short taxi time, the wind shear had increased to unacceptable levels.

Another sector, the plane was held at the departure gate in Osaka until HK airport could give a safe landing slot in HK.

HK airport have lots of experience in dealing with these typoons.

 

[sudoer]

QF agreed to reroute SWMBO from xHKG (KA) to xSIN (JL) without reissue fee/fare difference. I suspect their cancelling of QF117 has left them short of seats into HKG tomorrow.

Worse lounges in SIN but she'll hopefully avoid the poor weather. As a bonus she gets a nicer seat on the JL leg, a better red eye flight time (7hr vs 4hr) and collects a few extra SC. New departure and arrival times within 30 min of original. A win in my book.

 

[HockeyMonkey]

My QF HKG->SYD flight on 16 Sep was cancelled today and it looks like all QF flights to Australia have been cancelled. QF's first offer was to rebook for 20 Sep, however being stuck in a typhoon for four days wasn't very attractive to me so I have rebooked HKG->SIN->MEL via 3K/QF.

Now I'm worried that the AY HEL->HKG leg won't proceed, but no word yet.

Any other AFFers caught up in this?

 

[snabbu]

some discussion here
Chances of HKG airport disruption from Typhoon Mangkhut?