Trial run: St John first-aid officers help a 'passenger' in the airport drill.

More than 500 staff from 20 government departments and other organisations have taken part in a drill at Hong Kong International Airport to test the effectiveness of response measures for handling an emergency situation triggered by inclement weather.

Today's drill involved the approach of a mock typhoon, sparking the activation of the Airport Emergency Centre to co-ordinate flight changes and the contingency plans of airlines, ramp handlers, transport operators, catering outlets, retail shops and other businesses.

A preliminary assessment of the number of potentially affected flights and bags was also made to facilitate early planning of resources and logistics for post-typhoon baggage-handling arrangements.

Airlines reallocated their flight resources and worked with the Airport Authority and Civil Aviation Department to revise scheduling.

At the passenger terminals, crowd-management contingency plans were implemented to maintain order in the airport. Designated areas were formed for passengers to queue for check-in or wait for their flights.

Additional signage and broadcasts were also arranged, while two teams of St John first-aid staff were stationed in a restricted and a non-restricted area to help passengers.