Thirty-seven flights between Hong Kong International Airport and Tokyo Narita Airport were delayed over August 13 and 14, as transport links serving the Japanese airport were disrupted by record-breaking rainfall. The Hong Kong Airport Authority reported 19 delays on August 13 and 18 on August 14.
The figure for August 14 was reported as of 3.30pm.
Chiba Prefecture recorded cumulative rainfall of 347 millimetres, described by the source as a record and nearly three times the usual total for August. Rail, bus and road connections to Narita International Airport were reported to have been completely disrupted.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level Level 5 heavy-rain special warning for at least 16 cities and municipalities in Chiba, including Chiba City.
More than 7,000 passengers were reported stranded in the airport terminal, including Hong Kong travellers who had just arrived. The supplied report did not provide a breakdown of how many passengers were affected by the flight delays.
Cathay Pacific reportedly waived ticket-rebooking fees for affected passengers. The available information does not specify whether any flights were cancelled or diverted, or when road, rail and bus services to Narita resumed.