17-6-2024 (HONG KONG)Â Hong Kong International Airport experienced significant delays and disruptions on Monday (Jun 17) after a cargo plane suffered a tyre burst upon landing, forcing the closure of one of the airport’s two runways for several hours. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by one of the world’s busiest air hubs in maintaining smooth operations amidst unexpected events.
The drama unfolded in the early hours of the morning when an Atlas Air cargo plane, bound for Anchorage, Alaska, took off from Hong Kong International Airport at around 4 a.m. local time (2000 GMT on Sunday). However, less than four hours into its journey, the Boeing 747 freighter encountered an issue and was forced to turn back, according to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24.
Upon its return to Hong Kong, the aircraft experienced a tyre burst during landing, prompting the immediate closure of one of the airport’s two runways. The incident was further complicated by a problem with the plane’s hydraulic system, preventing it from being moved for several hours, as stated in an airport statement.
As a result of the runway closure, Hong Kong Airport experienced significant disruptions, with a staggering 186 flights facing delays throughout the day. Passengers and airline staff alike found themselves grappling with the unexpected situation, as the airport authorities worked tirelessly to resolve the issue and restore normal operations.
Finally, after hours of hard work and meticulous coordination, the airport announced that the north runway had been reopened at 3:45 p.m. local time, allowing for the gradual resumption of flight schedules and the alleviation of the backlog of delayed flights.
