Typhoon Noul Grounds Singapore-Hong Kong and Shenzhen Flights

Typhoon Noul, the third typhoon to hit China in July, forced the cancellation of more than 20 flights between Singapore and southern China over the weekend of 25–26 July. The storm prompted local authorities in Guangdong province to relocate over 340,000 people, and Hong Kong briefly hoisted its hurricane signal to No. 9 – the second-highest alert level – before downgrading it as conditions eased.

At Changi Airport, 13 Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines (SIA) flights between Singapore and Hong Kong were scrubbed on 26 July, including CX714, CX710, CX658, CX652, CX734, CX716 and the corresponding SIA codeshares. On the same day, eight flights between Shenzhen and Singapore operated by Shenzhen Airlines, China Southern Airlines and SIA were cancelled; affected services included ZH236 and ZH230. SIA had already cancelled flight SQ856 from Singapore to Shenzhen the day before, while two other 25 July Shenzhen flights were axed and one delayed.

Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary, cancelled flights TR128 (Singapore–Shantou) and TR129 (Shantou–Singapore) on 25 July. Flights to Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, were operating normally, according to Changi Airport’s website. Hong Kong International Airport said it would begin resuming flight operations gradually after 6pm local time on 26 July.

The Travel Impact of a Third Typhoon in a Month

Airlines Pre-emptively Cancel a Full Day at Hong Kong Hub

Cathay Pacific’s decision to cancel all flights arriving at and departing from Hong Kong between 1.15am and 6pm on 26 July was an unusually broad operational halt. While driven solely by safety, the move froze a key international hub during the peak summer travel window and forced the airline to absorb the cost of rebooking thousands of passengers. SIA and other carriers with codeshare or interline agreements on those routes faced similar logistical headaches, even if some of their own metal was not in the line of fire.

Singapore–Southern China Corridor Hit in a Fragile Recovery Period

The cancellations come at a time when business and leisure travel between Singapore and the Greater Bay Area is rebounding strongly. Hong Kong and Shenzhen are among Changi’s top 20 busiest city-pair markets, and the typhoon disrupted not only point-to-point traffic but also connections through Hong Kong to Europe and North America. With Typhoon Noul being the third major storm in China in July – an exceptionally active early-season spell – airlines may need to build more operational slack into summer schedules on these routes, potentially pushing airfares higher.

What Affected Passengers Should Do Now

  • If you are booked on a cancelled flight: Cathay Pacific is automatically rebooking passengers on later flights; affected SIA, Scoot, Shenzhen Airlines and China Southern customers should check their airline’s app or website for rebooking options. The specific flights cancelled include CX714, CX710, CX658, CX652, CX734, CX716, SQ856, ZH236, ZH230, TR128, TR129 and corresponding codeshares.
  • Know your rights: While typhoons are extraordinary circumstances that limit compensation under most air passenger frameworks, Singapore-based airlines have voluntarily offered free rebooking or refunds. Accepting a rebooking typically waives further claims, so clarify your choice.
  • Travel insurance: If you incurred hotel, meal or transport costs because of the disruption, keep all receipts. Travel insurance policies that cover weather-related cancellations may reimburse reasonable expenses.
  • Before heading to the airport: Check your flight status. Hong Kong operations resumed after 6pm on 26 July, but residual delays are possible. For travellers with onwards ground transport in Guangdong, confirm services as local flood and wind alerts may persist.