NEWS FROM HONG KONG
HONG KONG - The operation of Hong Kong International Airport since Wednesday (14/8/2019) morning has returned to normal, after hundreds of flights in and out of Hong Kong were canceled on Tuesday (13/8/2019) afternoon due to being paralyzed by mass action. Even so, there are still dozens of departing flights that still have the status of "canceled".
As reported by the public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), the Airport Authority said it had been given a prohibition order to prohibit anyone illegally or deliberately interfering with airport services. The Airport Authority also said people would be barred from attending any public protests or events outside their designated areas. An order notification will be displayed immediately at the airport.
Earlier, on Tuesday afternoon, protesters physically blocked the arrivals and departures area of Hong Kong Airport. But by Wednesday morning, most of the protesters had left the Airport Building.
Flights departing Hong Kong Airport were mostly operating as scheduled on Wednesday morning. As of early Wednesday until midnight, only 35 departing flights have the status of "canceled".
The check-in desk at the Airport Express station in Central also appears to be functioning as usual, with many passengers lining up at the counter. "A journalist at the airport's departure hall said the check-in desk was operating normally and only a handful of protesters were left, most of them sleeping," RTHK wrote.
At the airport, authorities have erected new metal barriers at both entrances at both ends of Terminal 1. A staff member said there would be access controls at the entrances.
"Only people with boarding passes or airplane tickets will be allowed to enter," wrote RTHK. [DDHKNews]
Photo caption: Hong Kong Airport looks back to normal. Photo courtesy of AP, published by RTHK at 13:47
