HONG KONG: Airport to close for 36 hours due to Typhoon Ragasa from 6pm Tuesday 23 September

Hong Kong International Airport is closing from 6 pm Tuesday, 23 September, until 6 am Thursday,25 September, as Super Typhoon Ragasa bears down with expected fierce winds and heavy rain. Flights in and out will be suspended.

If you’ve got Qantas, Cathay Pacific, or another carrier scheduled to pass through Hong Kong in that window, expect disruption. Here’s what we know and what you should do.

Ragasa’s path & impact

The storm is bringing sustained winds, expected to be around 220 km/h, as well as even stronger gusts.

Hong Kong is issuing high warning signals, that’s Typhoon Signal 8 or above, in preparation for a possible storm surge, flooding, and serious infrastructure damage. Schools and many businesses are being shut down for safety.

Hong Kong International Airport will be closed, and flights are being cancelled for safety concerns and to avoid damage at the airport. Aircraft are being repositioned out of Hong Kong to avoid damage.

Affects on Australian passengers

If you’re flying to, from, or connecting through Hong Kong between 23–25 September, here’s what to expect:

Situation	What’s likely to happen	What you should do
Your flight’s cancelled	Full cancellation of flights with no operations during 6 pm Tue → 6 am Thu at HKG. Many flights before and after the closure may be delayed or cancelled due to downstream effects.	Do not go to the airport without confirmation. Check airline/mobile app/email/SMS. Use rebooking options.
Transits through Hong Kong	If you’re connecting via Hong Kong, your onward flights likely will be disrupted. You may be grounded waiting for flights to resume.	Contact your airline or travel agent for alternate routes. Monitor airline websites.
Booking flexibility	Cathay Pacific and Qantas are waiving rebooking/rerouting fees for tickets for travel during 23-25 Sept. Similarly airlines are also offering credits or free changes	Take advantage of this and find alternative routes or delay flights.
Potential knock-on delays	Once the airport reopens, the full schedule won’t immediately return. Aircraft and crews, need to be repositioned. Expect delays, overbookings, etc	For flights on Thu/Fri, allow extra buffer time. Be prepared for late arrival or rescheduling.

What you should do

Here are a few pointers on what you can do to make sure you are in the best position during this disruption:

1. Check your booking now — look for email, SMS, or alerts from your airline.
2. Update your contact details so you don’t miss cancellation notices.
3. Consider alternate routes if connecting via Hong Kong. Other hubs may have flights still operating.
4. Allow extra time if you’re travelling immediately after the storm passes.
5. Travel insurance — check if your policy covers weather-related cancellation or delays.

This is one of the longest shutdowns of HKIA in recent memory. Ragasa is being compared (in terms of wind strength) to prior destructive storms in southern China. For Australia-Hong Kong travel, this isn’t just a few spot cancellations—this affects every flight and every airline flying to or from Hong Kong around this time.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is serious. It will affect you if you are revelling to or anywhere near Hong Kong around this time, so plan accordingly.

If you were scheduled to fly through Hong Kong in the next 48 hours, assume your flight is either cancelled or disrupted. Airline flexibility is good, but expect delays even after the airport reopens. Preparing ahead can save you a lot of stress.

The affected Airlines will do their best to make arrangements to minimise your inconvenience, but they don’t have the power to change the weather. So, be patient, courteous, and don’t lose your cool.