Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on Friday successfully completed its largest-ever integrated typhoon drill in a joint effort with the entire airport community.

Over 600 staff from about 20 organizations and government departments took part in the exercise, testing responses related to various weather contingencies from flight rescheduling, flight information display and crowd management to baggage handling.

The multi-scenario exercise started at 0001 hours when the airport community was notified by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) of the approach of a strong typhoon.

The Airport Authority (AA) immediately alerted airlines, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD), Hong Kong Police, ground handlers, ramp operators, cargo handlers, transport companies and retailers as well as caterers for emergency response, and also activated the Airport Emergency Center (AEC) in skeleton mode.

At the same time, the AA deployed additional manpower and analyzed flight situations. In addition, the AA and all relevant members of the airport community held coordination meetings to prepare for the typhoon.

As the weather worsened, typhoon signal number 8 was hoisted, and the HKO held another weather briefing at the AEC to detail the location, speed and direction of the typhoon as well as its possible impact on aircraft movements.

In view of the rising number of affected flights and passengers, AEC swung into full operations at 0100 hours, serving as the control and coordination center and communicating with the airport community to minimize operational disruptions.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2009)

The CAD, AA, airlines and ground operators worked closely together as flight schedules continued to change due to inclement weather. More staff were also mobilized to handle the increasing amount of luggage at the Baggage Reclaim Hall.

In the terminals, passengers were updated on flight situation via the flight information display screens as well as other channels such as the airport website and mass media.

The AA, Police, airport security staff, airlines and ground handling agents jointly managed the increasing number of passengers in the terminals. Designated areas were opened up to provide sufficient space for the large number of passengers lining up for check-in. Specific zones and additional signage were arranged for passengers at the airport's restricted areas.

"Contingency handling requires a high level of coordination among various members of the airport community, all of whom play different but equally important roles in their respective areas," said CK Ng, AA's deputy director of Airport Operations.

The AA conducts more than 90 seminars, drills and exercises every year, 15 of which are related to weather disruptions. Through these initiatives, the airport community can test the readiness of its joint contingency plans and ensure that improvements in handling procedures and communications are made before the arrival of another typhoon season.

Friday's exercise stood down at 0407 hours, and all sides involved hailed it a success.