When flights are grounded, they’re more anxious than passengers — A salute to the aviation’s unsung heroes in the typhoon

▲ The fierce winds of Typhoon Soudelor caused a passenger plane to literally lift one wheel off the ground.

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong / Taipei

Whenever news of an approaching typhoon breaks, many airline and service industry workers gear up as if facing a formidable enemy. ETtoday News Cloud reporters even captured the heart-wrenching sight of convenience store delivery personnel struggling against the wind and rain to make their rounds. Beyond the inconvenience caused to travelers, typhoon-induced flight delays and cancellations also put the emergency response capabilities of flight crews, ground staff, and maintenance teams to the test.

According to industry insiders, since each passenger aircraft has its own scheduled flight missions that are closely interconnected, delays or cancellations due to typhoons will inevitably affect subsequent itineraries. Therefore, it's crucial to quickly plan and adjust operations to minimize the impact on passengers.

▲ Unstable weather forced EVA Air flight BR715 to circle over Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport several times before diverting to Hong Kong. (Photo / Screenshot fromflightradar24official website)

Customer service representatives at airlines are inundated with calls about complaints and ticket refunds, turning their offices into virtual battlefields. With Typhoon Soudelor leading to numerous flight cancellations, employees noted: “Our phones haven’t stopped ringing these past few days!”

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A staffer from a foreign airline also remarked discreetly that they hope passengers understand the principle that “typhoons are not under the airlines’ control.” While grounding or delaying flights results in major losses for airlines, the safety of both personnel and aircraft remains the top priority. Although waiting at the airport can be frustrating and angering for passengers, airlines have no choice but to delay or cancel flights to ensure safety during typhoons, and they hope for passengers’ understanding.

In addition to the pressure borne by airline executives for grounding flights, flight attendants on duty during typhoons also face intense stress. One flight attendant shared that they must constantly monitor their phones for ever-changing flight schedules to prepare for any emergencies. Another revealed that their company requires “proof of inability to leave home” to take leave, leaving them with no choice but to show up for work despite the risks.

▲ Video shared by netizens shows ground crew working on the tarmac in the wind and rain. (Photo / Screenshot from Daniel Wei’s Facebook)

Additionally, in a video circulating online recently, the sheer force of Typhoon Soudelor can be seen lifting an entire plane on one wheel — a testament to its power. Another clip shows ground crew braving the torrential winds and rain of a typhoon night, working together to secure aircraft wheels. Despite the gale that made every step a struggle, the team persevered to get the job done.

Although flight cancellations may spark frustration toward airlines, every team member and every unseen “unsung hero” at airlines and airports is working tirelessly for “safe and efficient air travel.” So when a typhoon strikes, let’s set aside our anger and say “Keep it up, you’re doing a great job!” to these unnamed heroes in the aviation industry.