Mass pro-democracy protests at the main terminal of Hong Kong International Airport yesterday saw all flights in and out the country grounded and thousands of passengers trapped in transit.
More than 5000 protesters flooded the arrivals hall chanting “fight with Hong Kong, fight for freedom!”
Airport staff told passengers to leave the airport and all flights that had not completed check-in by yesterday afternoon were cancelled, as were all arriving flights that had not yet taken off.
Image: AP
The vast majority of protesters who occupied the airport have now left with Hong Kong Airport releasing a statement, saying flights would restart this morning.
A statement on the airport’s website said passengers should pay attention to the latest flight information through the website and HKG My Flight mobile app and confirm the flights before heading to the airport.
“Passengers can also check with their airlines for the latest flight information,” it went on to say.
Last week we reported that Smartraveller is now warning Australians to exercise a “high degree of caution” in Hong Kong amid fears that ongoing protests could become even more volatile.
“Flash mob protests and random attacks on protesters have become less predictable and are expected to continue,” Smartraveller warns.
The protests began back in June in opposition to a bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China.
Image: Hong Kong protests by AP
Since then, both the protests and the way police are responding to them has only continued to escalate.
If the situation in Hong Kong doesn’t improve, there is a very real possibility that China will intervene.
Smartraveller says Australians in Hong Kong requiring consular assistance, should contact the Consular Emergency Centre +61 2 6261 3305 or the Australian Consulate +852 2827 8881.