Passengers Return As HK Airport Resumes Flights

Flights were departing Hong Kong airport largely on schedule on Wednesday morning, a day after pro-democracy protesters caused chaos with a disruptive sit-in that paralysed the busy transport hub.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled on Tuesday after demonstrators blockaded two terminals, the second consecutive day the airport has been targeted in the latest escalation of a 10-week political crisis that has gripped the international finance hub.

Hong Kong flagship carrier Cathay Pacific said on Wednesday it will be operating flights as scheduled. But the airline urged passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport, warning that there is potential for further flight disruptions at short notice.

The check-in desk at the Airport Express station in Central also appeared to be functioning as usual, with many passengers lining up at the counters there.

On Tuesday, protesters physically blocked travellers from boarding flights throughout the afternoon. But by the early hours of Wednesday morning the vast majority of protesters had left the building and flights began taking off on a more regular basis.

The airport's website showed dozens of flights taking off overnight and listed hundreds more scheduled to depart throughout Wednesday, although many were delayed.

A reporter at the airport departures hall said check-in desks were operating normally and only a handful of protesters remained, most of them sleeping.

It was unclear whether the airport would again be targeted later on Wednesday. (RTHK, AFP)