Story at 1445 GMT, August 13:
Hong Kong International Airport was forced to suspend check-in services for all departing flights on Tuesday afternoon, as hundreds of demonstrators occupied the area around the check-in aisles from about 1430 before making their way towards departure gates in an escalation of their protest. At least 1,000 remained in the arrivals section.
In a statement published at 1715 local time (0915 GMT), the Airport Authority of Hong Kong said: “Airport operations at Hong Kong International Airport have been seriously disrupted, all departure flights have been cancelled. All passengers are advised to leave the terminal buildings as soon as possible. Affected passengers please contact their respective airlines for flight arrangement.”
The cancellations came after all flights out of the airport were suspended on Monday evening.
Virgin Atlantic said that VS206 from London Heathrow to Hong Kong would depart as planned at 2150 Tuesday evening. However VS207 from Hong Kong to Heathrow is delayed until 1000 local time on Wednesday 14 and will operate as VS1207.
It said that passengers would need to arrange their own accommodation and claim “a reasonable cost” back from the airline via receipts.
Cathay Pacific has posted the following statement:
“Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon have been informed by the Airport Authority in Hong Kong that all check-in has been suspended as a result of the public assembly at Hong Kong International Airport, which is ongoing. There is potential for further flight disruptions at short notice.
“Customers are therefore encouraged to postpone non-essential travel from Hong Kong on Tuesday 13 August and Wednesday 14 August and should not proceed to the airport.
“With immediate effect, all charges and fare differences will be waived for certain ticket changes.”
Passengers can check here for the latest information from the airline.
It is currently unclear how many flights will operate from the airport on Wednesday 14, and the airport still appeared to be full of people at 2130.