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Cathay Pacific
Taming the typhoon: how Cathay Pacific dealt with Hato
One of the biggest storms to hit Hong Kong in recent years, Typhoon Hato, is on the way. Dozens of flights are due to land in the middle of it. What would you do? Aviation Editor Phil Heard spends 24 hours at Cathay Pacific’s airport operations centre as the drama unfolds
Two men watching the weather on computer screens at the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) at Cathay Pacific’s headquarters
Credit: Philip Heard
People in a boardroom having a meeting in the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) at Cathay Pacific’s headquarters

Credit: Philip Heard

People on standby observing the typhoon on multiple screens in the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) at Cathay Pacific’s headquarters

Credit: Philip Heard

A computer screen displaying super typhoon Hato at the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) at Cathay Pacific’s headquarters

Credit: Philip Heard

A computer screen showing the direction of super typhoon Hato near South China Sea

Credit: Philip Heard

A gloomy photo of grey clouds and dark sky over Hong Kong victoria harbour

Credit: Lugaaa/Getty Images

A gloomy view of Hong Kong harbour with grey clouds and sky during typhoon Hato

Credit: CHUNYIP WONG/Getty Images

People and managers in the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) at Cathay Pacific’s headquarters observing typhoon hato from computer screens

Credit: Philip Heard