Hongkongers stranded after storm disrupts trains and roads to Narita airport

Hong Kong tour groups returning from Japan’s capital are seeking alternative routes to Narita Airport after a record rainstorm on Thursday disrupted transport and left thousands of travellers stranded, including Hongkongers who spent the night on trains and at the airport.

Cathay Pacific, the city’s flag carrier, said on Friday it would waive rebooking and rerouting fees to give affected customers greater flexibility.

Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, said one tour group had already departed for Narita Airport in Chiba prefecture, while another two groups would be returning home that day, with flights operating as normal.

“Due to issues on the main road from the city to Narita Airport, an alternative route must be taken, which takes longer,” he said.

“As a result, the team will head to the airport nearly two hours earlier than planned.”

Huen’s colleagues reported that while the rainstorm on Thursday had been extremely heavy, the weather had since eased slightly. Footage sent by his team showed blue skies and bright weather in Chiba prefecture on Friday morning.