South African Airways (SAA) canceled its flight from Johannesburg to Hong Kong on Thursday due to extreme weather conditions there and surrounding areas.

SAA statement said that a typhoon striking Hong Kong had made it impossible for aircraft to land and it was anticipated these conditions would persist over the next two days.

"The decision to cancel the flight was made with the safety of our passengers in mind and in an attempt to minimize any inconvenience and discomfort in having to be diverted to a destination other than the one intended," said Ian van Rooyen, SAA Head Passenger Services.

Due to the severe weather, the airline's Wednesday flight from Johannesburg to Hong Kong diverted to land in Bangkok. SAA said that it was doing all it can to accommodate these passengers and to make alternate arrangements to their final destinations.

It is planned that this particular flight to depart Bangkok to Hong Kong on Saturday.

The return flight SA287, which would have departed Hong Kong on Thursday will be rescheduled as SA9287 and depart for Johannesburg on Saturday.

SAA operates daily between Johannesburg and Hong Kong. It said that it would monitor the weather situation in Hong Kong on a daily basis to determine the best action to be taken.

Source: Xinhua