NEWS FROM HONG KONG
HONG KONG - The Airport Authority, on Monday (12/8/2019), said it had almost closed the airport (airport) Hong Kong airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. This was because thousands of protesters occupied the arrival and departure hall of the Chek Lap Kok airport.
“Authorities canceled all departures from Hong Kong airport just before 16pm on Monday. It also said that, except for flights already bound for Hong Kong, incoming flights have been canceled. " This was reported by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). The Hong Kong-based public broadcaster updated the news regarding the mass anti-Hong Kong government demonstration on Monday, 00:16 pm.
This means, writes RTHK, that the policy affects the travel plans of tens of thousands of passengers, as Hong Kong airports handle about 800 flights a day on average. On its news portal, RTHK posted a photo showing an airport information board showing that almost all flights were labeled "canceled" or canceled. Two photos also appeared showing thousands of protesters filling the arrivals hall and check-in area of the airport.
Thousands of people have been sitting in the arrivals hall from Friday afternoon. Under the plan, the 72 hour action will be completed on Monday morning. The event was largely peaceful and many airport visitors posted comments on social media about the crowd being well-behaved and causing no discomfort to airplane passengers.
However, as a result of violent clashes in several parts of Hong Kong overnight, between police and protesters, the protesters continued their action at the airport and asked more people to participate, today. Witnesses at the airport said thousands of people joined the demonstration in the arrivals area. Before long, hundreds of people moved to the departure area. Check-in operations have also stopped.
The chaos wasn't limited to the arrival and departure halls. Eyewitnesses also reported that traffic to the airport was paralyzed. This is because the road was filled with protesters walking towards the airport.
Prior to the announcement of the cancellation of flight departures, the Airport Authority said it would reschedule flights from 6pm. The statement also warned passengers about heavy traffic and that all airport parking lots were full.
Several people going to the airport said some of the passengers got out of the bus after jamming on the road and headed for the airport on foot. [DDHKNews]
Photo source: RTHK
