Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan said in a press conference Monday the decision to suspend operations at Hong Kong International Airport had been made owing to concerns over aviation safety and the safety of passengers and airport staff.

Most protesters had left the airport shortly after midnight.

"Hong Kong International Airport will implement flight rescheduling today with flight movements expected to be affected," reads a notice published on the Hong Kong International Airport's official mobile app on Tuesday.

Cathay Pacific said it would only operate a limited number of flights for connecting passengers. Airport flight boards showed the likes of Emirates Airline and Virgin Australia had flights scheduled to depart on Tuesday.