Cathay Pacific Cancels 22 Flights After Hong Kong Black Rainstorm Chaos

(HONG KONG) Cathay Pacific canceled 22 flights across Friday and Saturday after a record black rainstorm and red lightning warnings brought Hong Kong International Airport to a near standstill, The airline said.

The disruption began late on August 14 and led to extended airport closures and widespread air traffic control delays for inbound and outbound flights. The Hong Kong Observatory said it was the city’s fifth black rainstorm warning of 2025, the highest annual count since the system began in 1998.

Cathay Pacific reported 13 cancellations on Friday, August 15, and 9 cancellations on Saturday, August 16. Most affected services were short- and medium-haul routes around Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Nanjing, Phnom Penh, Manila, Xiamen, Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, Nagoya, and Seoul.

The airline said safety remained the priority while teams worked to re-time flights, position aircraft, and reunite crews scattered around the region by the shutdown.

Operational disruption and affected routes

The storm’s timing forced many aircraft and crew to remain overnight at outstations, creating a knock-on effect throughout the network.

Airport Authority Hong Kong coordinated with airlines and air traffic control, but recovery was slowed by crew-rest requirements and slot constraints typical after weather ground stops, according to industry practice and the airline’s operational updates.

Cathay Pacific listed these cancellations:

• Friday, August 15: CX725/724 HKG–KUL–HKG; CX356/357 HKG–NKG–HKG; CX655/600 HKG–PNH–HKG; CX903/902 HKG–MNL–HKG; CX978/979 HKG–XMN–HKG; CX617 HKG–BKK; CX711 HKG–SIN; CX362 HKG–PVG
• Saturday, August 16: CX361 PVG–HKG; CX658 SIN–HKG; CX700 BKK–HKG; CX536/539 HKG–NGO–HKG; CX418/419 HKG–ICN–HKG; CX755/754 HKG–BKK–HKG

The airline said all affected customers had been contacted with new travel options. Change fees are waived, and passengers can rebook, cancel, or request refunds without penalty under special ticketing guidelines. Cathay Pacific’s customer care and airport teams are operating at full capacity to process changes and help travelers whose onward plans were disrupted.

Passengers are urged to check flight status before going to the airport. Live updates are available on Cathay Pacific’s flight status page at https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US/prepare-trip/flight-status.html and on the mobile app. The carrier’s adverse weather advisory page, including special ticketing rules, is posted at https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/prepare-trip/travel-advisories/adverse-weather-hkg.html.

Important: Confirm flight status before you travel to the airport to avoid unnecessary trips and queueing.

What travelers should do now

To lessen stress and avoid long lines, the airline recommends the following steps:

1. Confirm your flight status online before leaving home.
2. If your flight is canceled or delayed, contact Customer Care or your travel agent to rebook, cancel, or request a refund under the flexible policy.
3. Complete online check-in as soon as it opens to secure any remaining seat assignments and speed up airport processing.
4. Watch for further updates as schedules may change again while operations stabilize.

The Hong Kong Observatory remains the official source for weather alerts, including rainstorm signals and lightning warnings that affect airport operations. For current warning signals and definitions, visit the government’s page at https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/warn/rainstorm.htm. Airport and airline decisions during severe weather are guided by these warnings.

Broader context and recovery timeline

A black rainstorm warning signals extremely heavy rain—more than 70 mm per hour—and a high risk of serious flooding and landslides. This year’s fifth black rainstorm event underscores concerns about stronger, more frequent storms in the region.

Aviation analysts say the recovery can take days for a hub carrier like Cathay Pacific because aircraft and crews are stranded in different cities and must observe legal rest periods before returning to duty. VisaVerge.com reports that these cascading effects often continue even after skies clear, as airlines work through backlogs and limited takeoff and landing slots.

The airline’s decision to waive fees and publish rolling updates follows widely accepted crisis-management practices. While many travelers praised quick alerts and clear guidance, others struggled to find immediate alternatives because seats on remaining services filled quickly.

High demand after cancellations is normal as airlines:

• Combine flights
• Protect connecting journeys
• Prioritize passengers with the earliest disruptions

Cathay Pacific said it is working to restore normal operations as soon as possible but warned that further delays or cancellations are possible if storms persist. Airport staff are balancing ramp safety, aircraft servicing, and crew scheduling with the need to move as many customers as possible once conditions permit.

For travelers, that means:

• Keep plans flexible
• Monitor messages from the airline
• Avoid the airport unless you have a confirmed seat

Key takeaway: With 22 flights canceled across August 15–16 and more adjustments possible, the most effective step is to verify flight status online, follow airline instructions, and proceed to the airport only with a confirmed booking.

Guidance for visitors, workers, and students traveling through Hong Kong

Travelers heading to jobs, studies, family events, or transit connections may face missed links and reshuffled itineraries. While the airline’s flexible ticketing reduces cost pressure, near-term seat supply is tight on some routes.

Practical steps to reduce disruption:

• Keep your itinerary, rebooking confirmations, and delay notifications together on your phone and as screenshots.
• If you have onward travel on another carrier, contact that airline early to discuss options.
• If you booked through a travel agent, ask them to coordinate all segments to avoid conflicting changes.
• If you need to adjust lodging or ground transport, request written proof of the disruption from the airline for insurance claims.
• If traveling for time-sensitive purposes (work start dates, school registration, medical appointments), share the airline’s advisory with the receiving party so they understand the reason for delay.

For families and older travelers, the simplest path is often to accept the earliest rebooking that fits your needs and avoid switching between multiple alternatives. If you are already in the terminal, look for airline staff directing queues; many airports use special lanes for those with urgent connections or special assistance needs. Keep phones charged and set up app notifications for gate or time changes.

Because the storm affected both arrivals and departures, baggage delivery and crew positioning may remain uneven for a short period. Allow extra time for transfers and be ready for gate changes as traffic flows are adjusted. Even after the weather clears, air traffic control often spaces out departures and arrivals to maintain safety, which can add short delays.

Cathay Pacific’s message to customers remains consistent: safety first, then steady recovery.