Hong Kong Airport Runway Closure Notification Delayed by 24 Minutes After Emergency

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department faced scrutiny after taking approximately 24 minutes to inform pilots about the emergency closure of the north runway at the city’s airport. This delay occurred following an incident on Monday where an Atlas Air cargo plane burst a tire during landing, impacting about 450 flights due to the prolonged closure.

The incident, which unfolded when the cargo flight 5Y4304 made an emergency return to Hong Kong Airport, prompted the shutdown of one of the two operational runways for over eight hours. The Civil Aviation Department started notifying aircrews using an automated system at 7.36 AM, about 24 minutes post-incident. It took a further 77 minutes before an update was provided, clarifying the runway’s condition at 8.53 AM.

Authorities spent the intervening time gathering information and coordinating with the Airport Authority and other relevant entities to assess the situation thoroughly. The Boeing 747 freighter, which had landed at 7.12 AM, required significant efforts to clear the runway, including unloading its cargo and replacing the damaged tire. The runway was eventually cleared and reopened later that day at around 3.45 PM.

Experts like Ng Kam-hung, an assistant professor of aeronautical and aviation engineering at Polytechnic University, considered the response time reasonable given the need for a thorough onsite investigation and coordination among various airport and emergency personnel.

Paul Weatherilt, chairman of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, concurred, highlighting the rarity of such incidents and the necessity for authorities to manage the situation carefully before proceeding with re-opening the runway.

However, the delayed communication raised concerns among some flight crews and passengers. One pilot reported receiving notice of the runway closure only about 30 minutes before their scheduled landing, indicating possible delays in communication as aircraft entered Hong Kong airspace.

In response to the incident and its handling, calls have been made for a review of the airport’s contingency procedures. Atlas Air has been directed to submit a detailed report to both the Airport Authority and the Civil Aviation Department as part of the regulatory requirements.

Additionally, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has assured that the Transport and Logistics Bureau will scrutinize the incident report to determine if further actions are necessary to enhance response measures and safety protocols.

This incident comes as the airport continues to expand its capabilities, including the ongoing three-runway project initiated in 2016. The third runway, which was not available during the incident due to modifications, is expected to reopen later this year, enhancing the airport’s operational capacity and resilience.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, scmp.com