TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taoyuan International Airport said thunderstorms and strong winds on Saturday evening led to the diversion of five flights.

The airport reported that wind conditions were equivalent to those of a tropical storm, making it difficult for aircraft to land. As a result, several incoming flights were rerouted to Kaohsiung. After weather conditions improved, the flights departed from Kaohsiung and successfully arrived in Taoyuan, per CNA.

According to the airport company, the Central Weather Administration issued a thunderstorm warning at 9 p.m., expected to last until 10:04 p.m. A strong wind warning, indicating gusts exceeding 40 knots, was in effect until 11:23 p.m.

The five diverted flights included Cathay Pacific CX464 from Hong Kong to Taipei with 145 passengers, EVA Air BR806 from Macao to Taipei with 126 passengers, Starlux Airlines JX718 from Hanoi to Taipei with 180 passengers, Hong Kong Airlines HX282 from Hong Kong to Taipei with 174 passengers, and China Airlines CI129 from Fukuoka to Taipei with 177 passengers. All of them later returned to Taoyuan Airport.

Airport staff said typhoons tend to have a longer-term impact on flight schedules, whereas Saturday night’s disruption was relatively brief. Normally, thunderstorms do not interfere significantly with takeoff and landing but may delay ground operations.

However, crosswinds can impact both takeoff and landing, which led to the decision to divert flights. Under aviation safety regulations, jet bridges cannot be deployed when wind speeds exceed 37 knots. On Saturday evening, gusts reached over 47 knots—conditions equivalent to a tropical storm—prompting the precautionary diversions.