Flights called off, transport disrupted as storm hits
Airport bosses said 16 flights had been cancelled as of about 8.30am on Monday because of Typhoon Talim, with six flights that are scheduled to depart put on hold as the SAR experienced its first No 8 typhoon signal of the year. Chapman Fong, the airfield general manager, said around 750 flights are scheduled for Monday at the Hong Kong International Airport. He urged travellers to check their boarding status periodically as changes will continue to roll out depending on the weather conditions. "The airport is very crowded right now because people have arrived at the airport early so we have extra staff working to ensure top services," he said.  "I have also extended restaurant and convenient store hours for our tourists. Prior to the effect of the typhoon signal, we have already made the necessary preparations for today." One traveller said that he was not worried about potential delays, and said that the online tracker had been really useful in keeping up with flight status.  Another traveller said his family went early to the airport after hearing about the heavy lines at check-in. Representatives from Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and HK Express said that flights are running normally at the moment, with the exception being a Hong Kong Airlines flight to Haikou, which has been cancelled. They said that each airline would continue to monitor the weather and make decisions accordingly. Fong also reminded travellers that the Airport MTR line would continue to operate regularly at 10 minute intervals, but the airport buses would remain suspended. The MTR Corporation said in-town check in for the Airport Express was suspended.  The overwhelming majority of Kowloon Motor Bus, Long Win Bus and Citybus services are suspended with just a handful, running to and from the airport or border checkpoints, providing limited services. Tram and ferry routes will also remain suspended throughout the storm.  The MTR Corporation is running a reduced service, with all lines operating at intervals of 10 to 20 minutes. MTR Buses, meanwhile, were suspended. The Transport Department has reminded motorists that speed limits of Lantau Link, Ting Kau Bridge as well as Hong Kong Link Road of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge are reduced to 50 km/h due to strong wind. The Observatory said earlier that the storm signal would not be withdrawn until after 4pm at the earliest.