By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
As Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest tropical cyclone globally this year, approached Hong Kong, airlines faced major disruptions, relocating aircraft and grounding flights ahead of hurricane-force winds and torrential rain. The storm, which prompted the issuance of typhoon signal 10, the city’s highest warning, forced all landings and departures at Hong Kong International Airport to be cancelled for 36 hours from Tuesday evening (September 23, 2025).
Massive flight disruptions
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed that approximately 80% of the aircraft from Hong Kong’s four main airlines had been relocated to airports in Japan, China, Cambodia, Europe, Australia, and other locations. Business jets belonging to the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre also moved out of the territory ahead of the typhoon.
Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s largest airline with a fleet of 179 passenger and freighter planes, announced on September 22 that the typhoon would have a “significant impact” on operations. More than 500 long-haul and regional flights were cancelled. The airline stated that it had pre-positioned aircraft abroad to ensure a staggered resumption of services between September 25 and 26.
Safety precautions and aircraft relocation
It is standard practice for airlines to relocate aircraft in the face of severe weather or conflict risks to prevent damage and comply with insurance obligations. Smaller aircraft can be tied down, while larger jets may be stored in hangars or weighted down with extra fuel.
Tracking data and reports from Phnom Penh Techo Airport in Cambodia confirmed that at least 14 Cathay Pacific jets had flown from Hong Kong to wait out the storm. Smaller carriers such as Greater Bay Airlines, with a fleet of seven aircraft, also moved all their planes abroad as a precaution.
Impact on Hong Kong operations
Hong Kong International Airport is the world’s busiest cargo hub and ranks ninth for international passenger traffic. The suspension of flights for 36 hours affected thousands of passengers and caused substantial revenue losses for airlines. Businesses and transport services were urged to shut down under typhoon signal 10 regulations, adding to the disruption.
Airlines also preemptively position aircraft abroad to enable quicker resumption of return flights once the storm passes, reducing operational delays.
Authorities are monitoring Typhoon Ragasa closely, while airlines continue adjusting schedules and managing logistics to mitigate the impact of the storm. Flights are expected to gradually resume as weather conditions improve later this week, with safety as the top priority.
