If you had plans to fly to Hong Kong or Shenzhen via Dubai between September 23–25, 2025, your trip may be disrupted. Emirates has suspended services to these destinations because of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is threatening southern China with heavy winds and rainfall. Here’s a clear, up-to-date guide on what’s happening, your rights, and how to act.
The Situation: What’s Going On
- Emirates has cancelled its flights to Hong Kong (EK380/381, EK382/383) and Shenzhen (EK328/329) from Sept 23 to 25.
- The HK–Bangkok shuttle service is also suspended.
- Travelers connecting through Dubai with final destinations in Hong Kong or Shenzhen won’t be permitted to depart from their origin until further notice.
- The typhoon has already forced Hong Kong’s airport to suspend operations for about 36 hours.
- Ragasa is one of the most intense storms of 2025, with winds measured above 185 km/h in many affected zones.
- The Hong Kong Observatory downgraded the storm from a “super typhoon” to a “severe typhoon” and gradually lowered warning signals (from T10 to T8, then T3) as conditions eased.
Impact on Travellers
What You Should Expect
- Your flight may be cancelled or rescheduled Emirates is actively revising itineraries.
- No onward departure if your trip involves connecting via Dubai to Hong Kong or Shenzhen, you may be unable to fly until conditions improve.
- Over 700 flights across Asia were cancelled due to this storm.
- Hong Kong’s airport will be closed for much of the typhoon period, affecting arrivals and departures.
What You Can Do Now
- Check your flight status immediately via the Emirates app or website.
- Contact Emirates / your travel agent to understand your options rebooking, refunds, or waivers.
- Avoid travelling to the airport prematurely delays and cancellations may happen last minute.
- Consider alternate routes if your travel is urgent, see if you can reroute via unaffected destinations.
- Retain all documentation booking confirmations, cancellation notices, communications for claims or insurance.
- Stay informed on weather updates and airport announcements in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Dubai.
Why Emirates Took This Step
- To ensure passenger safety with extreme winds and turbulence, flying becomes unsafe.
- To protect aircraft airlines often relocate or ground planes to avoid damage in severe conditions.
- To maintain operational integrity reacting early helps minimize chaos and lets airlines manage resources better.
Final Thoughts
Typhoon Ragasa is reshaping travel across East Asia, and Emirates has acted proactively by suspending flights to southern China. If your journey involves Hong Kong or Shenzhen in the coming days, act quickly: check your flight, contact the airline, and reconsider your route if needed.
Safety first and flexibility for your travel plans.
