Hong Kong airport closure: Everything you need to know about travelling to the region

Unrest triggered by plans to allowed extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China is intensifying, with campaigners now protesting about police using excessive force in response to earlier protests.

After Hong Kong airport was shut down by order of the authorities, the Foreign Office is warning prospective visitors to the city that protests involving significant violence “are likely to continue”.

These are the key questions for travellers in Hong Kong at present, or booked to travel there soon.

All 10 UK-originating flights due in on Monday 12 August landed safely. The last in was the delayed British Airways flight from Heathrow, which touched down at 6.30pm local time – as the airport was being closed for departing flights.

Some other flights turned back, for example Qatar Airways flight 816 from Doha, which was ordered back while over Bangladesh and landed at Muscat in Oman for refuelling.

Departures have resumed, but there is still widespread disruption after hundreds of flights were cancelled. The authorities said: “Hong Kong International Airport will implement flight rescheduling today (13 August) with flight movements expected to be affected.

“Passengers are reminded to pay attention to the latest flight information through the airport’s website.

“Please confirm the flights before heading to the airport.”

The main airline, Cathay Pacific, is encouraging passengers “to postpone non-essential travel from Hong Kong on Tuesday 13 August and Wednesday 14 August”.

It says travellers “should not proceed to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking”.

Inbound flights from the UK on 13 August are arriving more or less as normal, with some delays of an hour or so.

But the Foreign Office is warning: “An unannounced protest is planned at Hong Kong Airport on 13 August from 1pm local time (6am UK time).

“The airport authorities advise members of the public not to travel to the airport. Passengers should check their flight status on the Hong Kong International Airport website.”

Dozens of flights are cancelled on 13 August. including Cathay Pacific services to Gatwick and Manchester, as well as long-haul links to a wide range of European, US and Middle Eastern airports.

If your flight is cancelled, one possibility is to travel by train to nearby Guangzhou and fly out from there – you should qualify for visa-free transit.

Alternatively you may be able to find a flight from Shenzhen – just outside the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

But it is likely to cost many hundreds of pounds, with no certainty about reclaiming the expense. A wiser plan is probably to remain in Hong Kong, but follow Foreign Office advice: “Exercise vigilance in the vicinity of unauthorised protests.

“Demonstrations may lead to sections of the city being closed off and strikes by public transport workers will significantly disrupt services.”

When the airport fully re-opens there could be several days of disruption while flights get back on schedule and the backlog of passengers is cleared.

If you are booked on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or another European Union airline to fly from Hong Kong, and their flights were to be cancelled, then under European air passengers’ rights rules you are entitled to accommodation and meals while you wait. The airline should book these for you.

Otherwise, the financial burden is yours. You may be able to claim on travel insurance if you have a good policy.

Depending on your airline’s policy, you may be able to get a full refund, a credit note to the value of the flight, or the opportunity to postpone your trip. But airlines are generally sticking to their normal terms and conditions – so you will lose some or all of your money if you cancel.

If your flight simply does not operate, then you are automatically entitled to a full refund.

If it is for an immediate departure or arrival on Cathay Pacific on 13 or 14 August, you can get a full refund.

Cathay Pacific says: “Customers should apply for the refund and the fee will be waived accordingly. For all tickets including non-refundable tickets.”

As the state of unrest develops or dwindles, Cathay Pacific will refine its policy. If you are booked in a week or more, it is unlikely that the airline will offer any variation in normal terms until the outcome of the airport action at the airport is clearer.

On other airlines, you will need to see what they are prepared to offer. In general, if flights are continuing to a destination – however strife-torn – the airline can refuse a refund on the grounds that it is still able to fulfil its contract with you to deliver you to your destination.

As it is a package holiday, the Foreign Office advice comes into play. If the FCO warns against travel to Hong Kong, then you are entitled to a full refund. Otherwise, your travel company can adhere to its terms and conditions.

But as the situation evolves, it is likely that some companies will offer flexibility.

That depends on your policy, but many have an exclusion for “civil unrest”. Again, talk to your travel insurer to find out what they may be able to offer.

The Australian government is telling its citizens: “We have raised our advice level for Hong Kong: we now recommend you ‘exercise a high degree of caution’. Protests have become more unpredictable and are expected to continue. Tourist areas have been affected.

“There is a risk of violent confrontation between protestors and police, or criminally-linked individuals, particularly at unauthorised protests. The risk is greater at night and on weekends,“ says the US State Department.

Canada’s foreign ministry says: “Although many protest sites are made public in advance, authorised and unauthorised demonstrations can take place with little or no notice. They can quickly spread to surrounding areas, including those frequented by tourists.

“Expect road closures and disruptions to traffic and transportation in affected areas. During recent protests, bus routes, MTR stations, the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal, the Airport Express and the Hong Kong International Airport have temporarily suspended operations, sometimes without warning. Businesses may also close suddenly.