Hong Kong airport continues to see delays; thousands of protesters occupy terminals for fifth day

More than 100 flights were canceled at Hong Kong International Airport Tuesday as thousands of demonstrators flooded the airport’s main terminal for the fifth consecutive day, prompting Chinese officials to liken the pro-democracy movement to “terrorism.” The airport reopened Tuesday, just one day after protesters were able to successfully shut down all operations, only to see further delays as two separate arrival halls and one departure area were clogged by thousands of demonstrators. HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CANCELS ALL FLIGHTS, CHINA COMPARES PROTEST TO ‘TERRORISM’ Protesters surround banners that read: "Those on the street today are all warriors!" center top, and "Release all the detainees!" during a sit-in rally at the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International airport in Hong Kong, Monday Protesters surround banners that read: "Those on the street today are all warriors!" center top, and "Release all the detainees!" during a sit-in rally at the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International airport in Hong Kong, Monday (AP) The black-clad protesters held up signs in Simplified Chinese and English to appeal to travelers from mainland China and other parts of the world. "Democracy is a good thing," said one sign in Simplified Chinese characters, which are used in mainland China instead of the Traditional Chinese script of Hong Kong. For more than two months, Hong Kong has experienced mass protests urging democratic reforms and an investigation into police conduct. The shutdown of one of the world's busiest transport hubs added to what authorities say is already a major blow to the financial hub's crucial tourism industry. The protests early on were staged in specific neighborhoods near government offices. However, the airport protest had a direct impact on business travel and tourism. Only a few flights were able to take off early Tuesday, prompting some tourists to vow to never travel from Hong Kong. "I don't think I will ever fly to Hong Kong again," one traveler from South Africa told The Associated Press. HONG KONG FACES WORST CRISIS IN 20 YEARS, SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIAL SAYS Protester holds up a placard during a sit-in protest at the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport, a major hub in Asia, in Hong Kong on Aug. 12, 2019. Protester holds up a placard during a sit-in protest at the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport, a major hub in Asia, in Hong Kong on Aug. 12, 2019. (AP) Protesters are demanding that Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam step down and pull legislation that would allow the government to extradite people to Mainland China, where they would likely face torture or unfair politically charged trials. Recent demonstrations have called for an independent inquiry into the city’s police and its alleged abuse of power. Lam said Tuesday that dialogue would only begin when the violence stopped. She reiterated her support for the police and said they have had to make on-the-spot decisions under difficult circumstances, using "the lowest level of force." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Chinese officials have called the movement an “existential threat” and have likened it to “terrorism.” Some protesters have thrown bricks, eggs and flaming objects at police stations and police said they arrested another 149 demonstrators over the weekend, bringing the total to more than 700 since early June. Police say several officers have suffered burns, bruises and eye damage inflicted by protesters. Fox News' Nicole Darrah and The Associated Press contributed to this report.