Hong Kong SAR – China – People’s Republic of China was hit by typhoon Nangka … a Level T8 Typhoon in mid-October 2020. Hong Kong International Airport’s airport community have taken typhoon season precautionary measures for the airport and idle aircraft ahead of time, minimizing the impact of typhoon on airport operations. in which Hong Kong SAR-China –People’s Republic of China in the mouth of the Delta River of the Guangdong Province Greater Bay Area has been regularly historically have been visited by Typhoons in all levelling strengths to extremely in which the Hong Kong International Airport design criteria was to counter any level of typhoon to its extremes
Many aircraft need to be parked temporarily at HKIA Hong Kong International Airport, waiting for the typhoon to leave. This year, due to the impact of the new crown epidemic, global air traffic has plummeted. The airport currently parks a large number of aircraft for a long time, and it will face greater challenges in severe weather. To this end, the AA and airlines have jointly formulated a safety contingency plan to make adequate preparations for the wind season as early as possible…
In which on 12th October 2020 at 1715 Hong Kong –Beijing time the Hong Kong Observatory issued a T3 Typhoon warning signal has been hoisted that day.. As Tropical Cyclone Nangka Approaches Hong Kong Various Working Parties at Hong Kong International Airport Were Busy Making Final Preparations …… “Number three typhoon signal has been hoisted.. Chapman Fong General Manger – Airfield Airport Authority Hong Kong …. If anything is loose or exposed in the wind and would be blown away.. We have to secure it “ Water Barriers have to be filled as part of the prevention of countering a Typhoon also adding fuel to the aircraft also helps to weighting it down to stabilized it against the wind ….
In which on 13th October 2020 at 1600 Hong Kong –Beijing time the Hong Kong Observatory issues a Number Eight Typhoon Hoisted ….. The wind is not to strong Nor the rain there’s not much to worry about ….. We are well Prepared so you see it is quite tidy .. Aircraft at the airport As well as facilities and equipment on the apron are still secure and safe under the number eight typhoon signal.. Thanks to the Airport community being thoroughly prepared .. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there were as many as one hundred aircraft parked on taxiways… Special precautionary measures are taken for these idle aircraft … All the aircraft used to parked at parking stands the terminal serves as barrier weakening the wind …. Aircraft on the Taxiways are relatively exposed to the wind … We drew out strategies early on for them … This airline has chosen external weights … these two iron weights, weighing one tone each.. are tied to the nose gear.. when an aircraft, especially the empennage is exposed to the wind it may be jumpy or swerves slightly These Weights can help stabilize the front wheels reducing it degrees of movement … Sandbags are placed in the Aircraft cargo hold of smaller aircraft adding more weight to the nose gear.. Extra Chocks are applied keeping the tires of the landing gears in place so that the aircraft would not roll front or backwards …. For the Typhoon this year we have raised out requirements for chocks Requiring more than a pair of them on each landing gear.. the position of Aircraft is also calculated… like Smaller Aircraft example the A320 are more prone towards the wind. That they would park at locations that shelter them from the wind.. Safety is the utmost importance at Hong Kong International Airport .. The Airport community work and communicated closely to ensure that the entire preparations process went smoothly so taking no chances when it comes to typhoon though the storm may not be strong we are prepared for the worst such that even the situation deteriorates we are well prepared …..
That preparedness with the collaboration with the Hong Kong International Airport , and the Hong Kong Observatory issued the first tropical cyclone warning signal helps to prepare the HKIA to any required Countermeasures . When a typhoon hits, many aircraft need to park at the Hong Kong International Airport temporarily, waiting for the typhoon to leave. This year, due to the impact of the new crown epidemic, global air traffic has plummeted. The airport currently parks a large number of aircraft for a long time, and it will face greater challenges in severe weather. To this end, the AA and airlines have jointly formulated a safety contingency plan to make adequate preparations for the wind season as early as possible.
About 130 idle aircraft parked at Hong Kong International Airport in August, none of them will leave Hong Kong in a short time. We have cooperated with relevant airlines to take special wind-proof safety measures for these aircraft, including increasing the weight of the aircraft with fuel or ballast to prevent the aircraft from being blown by strong winds.
When a tropical cyclone is approaching, we will also remove the protective cover on the airspeed tube or hood of the aircraft on weekdays to avoid being blown over by strong winds. As for other aircraft that are still in operation, we will follow the established typhoon response procedures, take preventive measures, and arrange for aircraft to be diverted to other airports when necessary.
When a typhoon is approaching, airlines and aircraft field maintenance service providers will order at any time to assist in mobilizing aircraft parking positions. At the same time, we maintain close contact with the Observatory and appropriately adjust the position of the aircraft in terms of the intensity and direction of the typhoon. In addition, during the typhoon, if the hangar capacity permits, we will park some aircraft in wind-resistant hangars, increase the distance between aircraft
Although the epidemic has increased the challenges of typhoon response, it is all due to a group of airport employees who stick to their posts and take more complete measures to enable us to smoothly deal with the typhoon…..