Flight operations return to normal at city airports
China Eastern employees tend to an airplane last night.
Operations at Shanghai’s two airports gradually returned to normal on Wednesday morning as Typhoon Hagupit moved away from the city.
The fourth typhoon this year weakened to a tropical depression by 5am and moved toward the Yellow Sea in East China, according to the National Meteorological Center.
A total of 66 inbound and outbound flights had been cancelled at Pudong and Hongqiao international airports as of 11am this morning because of the typhoon.
As rainfall tapered off, takeoffs and landings at both airports returned to normal. By noon, visibility rose to more than 1 kilometer at the Hongqiao airport and 10 kilometers at the Pudong airport, the Shanghai Airport Authority said.
The Hongqiao airport sustained the heaviest rainfall yesterday, but because dozens of flights were cancelled ahead of time, there were no long delays or stranded passengers.
The airport authority dredged ditches and repaired trolleys and disinfection machines to ensure safety during the downpour, the authority said.
The Pudong airport launched its smart flood prevention system, which measures the amount of rainwater, sends alerts and dispatches personnel and flood-prevention materials automatically.
China Eastern Airlines added 60 flights at both airports to make up for yesterday’s cancellations.
A mechanic works on an aircraft tire on Tuesday night at the Pudong airport.
A Spring Airlines’ employee caught in the rain at the Hongqiao airport last night.
Airport workers repair trolleys at the Hongqiao airport on Tuesday night.
