Super Typhoon Ragasa: Cathay Pacific halts Hong Kong flights in 36-hour shutdown
September 23, 2025
Hong Kong is preparing for a 36-hour shutdown of international flights as Super Typhoon Ragasa barrels across southern China, forcing Cathay Pacific and other airlines to ground hundreds of flights.
The city, one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs, is bracing for hurricane-force winds and storm surges that will effectively cut it off from global air travel until conditions ease.
Super Typhoon Ragasa makes landfall in the Philippines and heads for China
Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms of 2025, has already torn through the northern Philippines, bringing devastating winds, landslides, flooding and widespread damage to infrastructure. Local authorities reported casualties and thousands displaced after the storm swept across the far north of Luzon.
As Ragasa tracks north-west across the South China Sea, it is now bearing down on some of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs.
Devastating scenes from Babuyan Claro after Super Typhoon #Ragasa (#NandoPh). Homes flattened, roofs torn off. The community is left to rebuild, facing a long road to recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/fXfvDr2mPo
— Gab ✊ (@cofrancisg) September 23, 2025
Taiwan has already felt the storm’s impact, with reports of injuries, evacuations and damage to infrastructure. In southern China, coastal provinces including Guangdong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macau have issued the highest-level warnings. Schools and businesses have been suspended, and evacuations ordered in low-lying areas.
Airlines across the region have begun cancelling services in anticipation of severe weather. Hong Kong is expected to face the greatest disruption, with its main airport braced for a near-total shutdown of passenger flights lasting more than a day and a half.
Hong Kong airport is cut off from air travel for 36 hours
Hong Kong International Airport will effectively be cut off from global air travel for around 36 hours, with Cathay Pacific and other carriers suspending all departures and arrivals from Tuesday evening through early Thursday morning.
According to Reuters, the suspension amounts to more than 500 cancelled flights for Cathay alone, with the total number of disrupted services across Hong Kong’s airlines reaching into the hundreds.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong has emphasised that the airport itself will remain physically open, with its runways and terminal operational, but it expects significant disruption to flight schedules.
Passenger care teams and limited retail and dining outlets are being mobilised to support those already at the airport, but travellers are being urged not to come to the terminal unless their airline has confirmed their flight is operating.
Cathay Pacific has offered flexible rebooking, rerouting and refunds for travel between 23 and 25 September. Other carriers, including Qantas and Emirates, have also announced customer waivers, allowing travellers to rebook once operations resume.
The airlines cancelling flights to Hong Kong
Airlines across the region are pulling services from Hong Kong in response to Ragasa. The biggest impacts include:
- Cathay Pacific – All flights arriving and departing between Tuesday evening and Thursday morning cancelled, plus additional long-haul cancellations before the shutdown.
- HK Express – Most of its network grounded for the 36-hour period, with over 100 cancellations reported.
- Hong Kong Airlines – Dozens of flights cut, including long-haul routes to Vancouver and Sydney, and regional services to Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei and Southeast Asia.
- Greater Bay Airlines – Suspensions across multiple services to Taiwan and the Philippines.
- Qantas – All Hong Kong flights cancelled during the shutdown, with waivers offered to passengers.
- Emirates – Flights to Hong Kong and Shenzhen cancelled on 23–24 September, with selected services also scrapped on 25 September.
- Qatar Airways – Passenger flights to Hong Kong and freighter services to Shenzhen and Macau suspended for 23–24 September.
- Singapore Airlines – Cancellations and retimings affecting services to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
- Scoot – Several Hong Kong flights cancelled in line with Singapore Airlines’ adjustments.
- Taiwanese carriers (China Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan) – International and domestic flights suspended, particularly to offshore islands such as Kinmen, Matsu and Hualien.
Local media estimate that cancellations at Hong Kong International Airport alone have already exceeded 700 flights, and more changes are expected as the storm progresses.
Ragasa impacts flight operations across the wider region
Although Hong Kong is the most affected aviation hub, Ragasa’s reach is being felt more widely.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has suspended operations from Tuesday evening, with Macau International Airport warning of significant disruption under Typhoon Signal 8.
Guangzhou has also seen dozens of cancellations, and Zhuhai has suspended many of its domestic services.
In Taiwan, airlines have cancelled both international and domestic services, particularly to Kinmen, Matsu and Hualien, as strong winds and heavy rain batter the island.
In the Philippines, airports in northern Luzon remain affected by earlier landfall, with lingering weather hampering domestic connections and recovery efforts.
Advice for passengers affected by Super Typhoon Ragasa flight cancellations
Travellers booked to fly during the typhoon should avoid going to the airport unless their airline has confirmed that their service is operating. Most carriers are urging passengers to check flight status through official apps or websites rather than relying on third-party sources.
An updated list of cancelled flights is being maintained by Cathay Pacific on its website.
The International Space Station just flew right over the eye of Super Typhoon Ragasa.
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) September 22, 2025
Spectacular view from space. pic.twitter.com/vuRiySmkUD
Airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Emirates and Singapore Airlines, have introduced flexible rebooking and refund policies. These allow affected passengers to change dates without penalty, reroute through alternative hubs, or request a refund if travel is no longer possible. Customers are advised to act quickly, as availability on replacement flights may be limited once operations resume.
For those already at Hong Kong International Airport, the Airport Authority has set up rest areas and kept limited shops and restaurants open. However, transport links around the city may be disrupted while the highest storm signals remain in force, so staying put and monitoring updates is often the safest option.
