Hundreds of flights to Hong Kong have been cancelled as protests rock the city. Here's what to do if you're scheduled to fly there
- More than 100 flights from Hong Kong International Airport were cancelled on Tuesday as protesters continued to occupy the airport for a fifth day.
- Travelers were unable to get through the crowds to pass through security checkpoints, and videos showed police and protesters fighting. Protesters apologized to stranded travelers, saying they were "fighting for our freedom."
- Several airlines issued travel waivers, while others warned that future flight cancellations were possible. Here's what you need to know if you're scheduled to travel to Hong Kong.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
As protests against the mainland Chinese government continue to rock Hong Kong, the city was forced to cancel hundreds of flights for a second day.
It was the fifth consecutive day of the protesters' occupation of the arrival and departure halls at the airport. About 142 flights were cancelled, according to FlightAware, following more than 200 cancellations on Monday.
Photos and video posted online showed skirmishes between riot police and protesters as authorities tried to clear the airport to get flights operating again.
"We're supposed to be home right now," Sehem, a 23-year-old medical student trying to return to Europe, said to Time. "We've been in the airport for more than 24 hours, we're super tired, we just want to go see our families-and we have exams in 10 days. We need to get home and study."
Travelers scheduled to head to Hong Kong who are affected by the airport closures or are second-guessing trips to the city may have options from their airlines, but could also be left out of luck.
"If travelers had their flights canceled, they are unfortunately not entitled to other compensation," Johnny Quach, the chief product officer at AirHelp, said in an email to Business Insider, "as this is an extraordinary circumstance beyond an airline's control."
For travelers who decide to proceed with their flights, Quach suggests leaving plenty of extra time, and not being surprised if there are disruptions.
"Travelers with planned flights out of Hong Kong International Airport may experience additional delays, increased lines at security, or overbooked flights once the airport is reopened as travelers try to adjust their plans accordingly," he said.
Some travel insurance policies may allow passengers to cancel trips based on civil unrest - passengers should call their benefits provider to learn more. Similarly, travelers who bought their tickets with certain credit cards may be covered.
Additionally, airlines with service to Hong Kong International Airport are offering some limited measures to help passengers. Read on for details about each airline.