Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong Airlines Evacuate Planes to Escape Year’s Strongest Storm

Hong Kong, September 24, 2025 – Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful tropical cyclone of 2025, hit Hong Kong this week, forcing airlines to take drastic measures to protect their planes. About 80% of aircraft from Hong Kong’s four main airlines were moved to safer locations or grounded at airports in Japan, China, Cambodia, Europe, and Australia, according to Flightradar24 data.

^{Passengers look at an information display board showing canceled flights due to the super typhoon Ragasa, at the Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong on September 23, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP}

The storm brought hurricane-force winds and heavy rain, leading to a 36-hour shutdown of all landings and departures at Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s busiest cargo airport and the ninth busiest for international passengers. The city issued its highest storm warning, Typhoon Signal 10, on Wednesday, September 24, urging businesses and transport services to close.

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Airlines Take Action

Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s largest airline, said the typhoon would have a “significant impact” on its operations. The airline, which operates 179 passenger and cargo planes, canceled over 500 long-haul and regional flights. Many of its planes were flown to safer airports, including 14 jets sent to Phnom Penh Techo Airport in Cambodia on Tuesday, September 23. Cathay Pacific expects to slowly resume flights between Thursday and Friday, September 25-26.

Smaller airlines like Greater Bay Airlines, which has seven Boeing 737s, moved all its planes to airports in Japan and China. Hong Kong Airlines also relocated most of its 28 aircraft, leaving just one in Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific and its low-cost subsidiary, H.K. Express, kept more planes in Hong Kong, likely storing some in hangars or weighing them down with extra fuel to withstand high winds.

Why Move Planes?

Moving aircraft during major storms is a common practice to avoid damage and meet insurance requirements. Airlines either fly planes to safer locations, store them in hangars, or secure smaller aircraft by tying them down. This helps ensure planes are ready to operate return flights once the storm passes.

The Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre reported that most of the city’s business jet fleet was also moved out of the territory before the storm hit.

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Impact on Hong Kong

Typhoon Ragasa caused widespread disruptions in Hong Kong, with canceled flights leaving passengers stranded. The storm’s powerful winds and heavy rain led to the temporary closure of one of the world’s busiest airports, affecting both cargo and passenger travel.

As the city recovers, airlines are working to resume normal operations, but the impact of the storm will likely linger for days.