Airlines cancel dozens of flights as Typhoon Bavi approaches

Taipei, July 9 (CNA) Airlines in Taiwan canceled dozens of domestic and international flights scheduled for Friday and Saturday as Typhoon Bavi approached the island, with further disruptions possible as the storm moved closer.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Bavi was centered about 870 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi, Taiwan’s southernmost point, according to the Central Weather Administration.

EVA Air said it will cancel most flights departing from or arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport from 6 p.m. Friday through the end of Saturday, and suspend Kaohsiung flights from 3 p.m. Friday through Saturday.

The airline said only four long-haul departures from Taoyuan on Friday, to New York, Toronto, Washington and Dallas, will operate as scheduled.

Tigerair Taiwan said it had canceled multiple Friday flights on routes linking Taiwan with Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. The budget carrier also moved up some departures and postponed a Taoyuan-Fukushima round-trip service until Sunday.

Starlux Airlines said flights scheduled from Thursday through Sunday could be delayed, rescheduled or canceled, while Singapore Airlines canceled two Taipei-Singapore flights scheduled for Saturday.

Thai Vietjet Air reported cancellations on routes between Taiwan and Bangkok, Sapporo, Okinawa and Osaka from Thursday through Saturday.

Cathay Pacific Airways also announced disruptions, canceling multiple flights between Hong Kong and Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, some Taiwan-Japan services on Saturday, and two Taiwan-Hong Kong flights on Sunday.

Domestic carriers also announced widespread suspensions.

UNI Air said it would progressively cancel flights Friday, including services linking Taipei Songshan and Taichung with Matsu, and routes connecting western Taiwan cities with Penghu and Kinmen. Flights between Songshan and Hualien or Taitung will be suspended for the day.

The carrier said all domestic flights on Saturday will be canceled.

Mandarin Airlines said it will add extra Friday morning flights from Taipei to Kinmen and from Kaohsiung to Penghu before canceling many domestic services later in the day. It also said all domestic flights on Saturday will be suspended.

Airlines urged travelers scheduled to fly over the next two days to monitor the latest updates through airline websites and mobile apps.