This Article is From Sep 21, 2013

Cathay Pacific to cancel all flights ahead of super typhoon Usagi

Cathay Pacific to cancel all flights ahead of super typhoon Usagi

A building is seen toppled on its side from strong flooding caused by heavy rain in the northeastern town of Keelung, Taiwan

Hong Kong: Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific said on Saturday it will cancel all flights, a day ahead of the anticipated arrival of Super Typhoon Usagi, the most powerful storm of the year.

Usagi, forecasted to be closest to Hong Kong on Sunday and Monday, could pose a "severe threat" to the city, the Hong Kong Observatory said on its website.

Cathay Pacific flights in and out of the city will be cancelled from 6:00 pm on Sunday, the airline said, adding that services will gradually resume on Monday "if weather conditions permit".

Dragonair, a sister airline, will cancel flights for the same period.

Hong Kong's international airport will remain open, authorities told AFP.

Usagi, packing sustained winds of 240 kilometres per hour (150 miles per hour) with gusts of nearly 300 kilometres per hour, brought torrential rain and strong winds to the Philippines and Taiwan on Saturday.

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