Travelers wait overnight after fatal accident at Haneda Airport

Hong Kong residents returning to the city from Haneda Airport Wednesday morning told reporters that travelers had to wait for hours overnight at the airport after a fatal collision between a Japan Airlines Co. passenger jet and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft, and that people are remaining calm and collected.

A Hong Kong Express flight flying into the city was delayed by approximately 4 hours this morning, with one passenger saying they had to wait in long queues going through immigration before boarding the flight.

Another passenger from the same flight told reporters that they arrived at Haneda Airport at around 9 pm yesterday.

He said while the overnight wait was tiring, travelers understood that the airport staff had tried their best to accommodate the passengers. He also noted that many flights at Haneda Airport had been canceled, so being able to return to Hong Kong was considered fortunate.

Meanwhile, two major travel agencies in Hong Kong that operate tours to Japan, said most of their Hong Kong to Tokyo tour groups use Narita Airport rather than Haneda Airport, so today's departures to Tokyo were not affected.

According to the Airport Authority's website, only one Cathay Pacific flight, CX543, scheduled to arrive in Tokyo via Haneda Airport, was canceled today. Another Hong Kong Express flight, UO623D, was delayed and will depart for Hong Kong tomorrow.