Typhoon Ragasa Forces Historic Hong Kong Airport Closure: 80% Aircraft Fleet Evacuation

Key Highlights:

• Hong Kong International Airport implemented a 36-hour suspension from September 23-25, 2025, due to Typhoon Ragasa’s unprecedented intensity
• 80% of aircraft from major Hong Kong airlines relocated to airports across Japan, China, Cambodia, Europe, and Australia during the storm
• Over 700 flights cancelled affecting approximately 140,000 passengers as the super typhoon Ragasa brought hurricane-force winds

Initial Context

Typhoon Ragasa, designated as the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone of 2025, brought Hong Kong’s aviation hub to an unprecedented standstill this week, forcing airlines to execute the largest aircraft evacuation in the territory’s recent history. The massive logistical operation saw approximately 80% of aircraft belonging to Hong Kong’s four main airlines relocated to safer destinations across multiple continents, highlighting the aviation industry’s sophisticated disaster preparedness protocols during extreme weather events.

Violent Typhoon Ragasa and Neoguri from the International @Space_Station. Sept 21, 2025 0437 GMT. Nikon Z9 | 24/50-500mm.

From orbit, the view is breathtaking, but on the ground, this storm brings real danger and hardship. Thoughts are with everyone in its path, and with the… pic.twitter.com/PESFnPhYIC

— Jonny Kim (@JonnyKimUSA) September 23, 2025

The crisis management response demonstrated the critical intersection between meteorological forecasting, insurance compliance, and operational safety in modern aviation. Hong Kong International Airport, recognized as the world’s busiest cargo facility and ninth-busiest for international passenger traffic, faced its most severe operational challenge since Super Typhoon Saola in 2023. The 36-hour closure period, extending from Tuesday evening September 23 to Thursday morning September 25, represented the longest suspension in the airport’s recent operational history.

Aircraft Evacuation Scale During the Super Typhoon Ragasa

The magnitude of the aircraft evacuation operation revealed the sophisticated planning capabilities of Hong Kong’s aviation sector during extreme weather events. Flightradar24 tracking data confirmed that major carriers strategically dispersed their fleets across multiple international destinations, with at least 14 Cathay Pacific jets relocating to Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Techo airport to escape the approaching storm. Greater Bay Airlines, operating seven aircraft, completely evacuated all Boeing 737s to airports in Japan and China as Typhoon Ragasa approached.

• Major airlines relocated 80% of their combined fleet to international destinations before the super typhoon Ragasa made landfall
• Business aviation sector also participated in mass evacuation, with majority of private jets leaving Hong Kong ahead of the storm

Hong Kong Airlines demonstrated proactive fleet management by relocating all but one of its 28 aircraft away from the territory, while the majority of the city’s business jet fleet also departed ahead of the storm’s arrival. This coordinated evacuation effort represented standard industry practice designed to protect valuable aviation assets and comply with insurance obligations during severe weather conditions. The strategic positioning of aircraft in distant locations also enabled airlines to prepare for rapid service resumption once the cyclone passed.

Aircraft evacuation statistics by Hong Kong airlines during Typhoon Ragasa September 2025

Financial Impact of Storm Operations

The financial implications of Typhoon Ragasa’s impact on Hong Kong’s aviation sector exceeded typical weather-related disruptions, with over 700 flights cancelled across the 36-hour closure period. Airport Authority Hong Kong confirmed that approximately 140,000 passengers faced travel disruptions, requiring extensive rebooking and accommodation arrangements during the extended closure. The authority anticipated requiring two full days to clear the resulting flight backlog once the storm moved away from the region.

• Cathay Pacific Airways cancelled over 500 flights due to the super typhoon Ragasa, representing significant operational losses
• Hong Kong Airlines cancelled 104 specific flights during the storm while maintaining 70 alternative schedule operations
• Economic impact extended beyond aviation to ground transportation and hospitality sectors affected by the weather event

Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s largest carrier operating 179 passenger and freighter aircraft, cancelled over 500 long-haul and regional flights due to the storm, representing a significant portion of its scheduled operations. The airline’s statement indicated expectations for “a staggered and gradual resumption” of services after the cyclone, reflecting the complex logistics of repositioning aircraft and crew following the evacuation. Hong Kong Airlines cancelled 104 flights specifically due to the weather event, though expected 70 flights to operate on alternative schedules.

Typhoon Ragasa’s Deadly Surge: Zhuhai’s Coastal Nightmare

Super Typhoon Ragasa didn’t just bring rain—it unleashed a storm surge that flooded Zhuhai’s Gaolan Island, leaving cars underwater and lives in chaos. This isn’t just another storm; it’s a wake-up call about climate… pic.twitter.com/zBwHce1Hmt

— UnreadWhy (@TheUnreadWhy) September 25, 2025

The broader economic impact extended beyond immediate flight cancellations to encompass ground transportation disruptions and passenger accommodation costs. The Airport Authority activated its Queue Ticket System for taxis following the storm, managing passenger flow as public transportation services gradually resumed operations. Hotel booking systems across Hong Kong experienced elevated demand as stranded passengers required extended accommodations during the closure period.

Aviation Safety Protocols During the Storm

The comprehensive evacuation of Hong Kong’s aircraft fleet demonstrated adherence to established aviation safety protocols and insurance requirements during extreme weather events. Industry standards mandate aircraft relocation during major weather disturbances like Typhoon Ragasa to prevent potential damage and maintain insurance coverage validity. Airlines implement various protective measures during severe storms including hangar storage, additional fuel loading for aircraft stability, and secure tie-down procedures for smaller aircraft.

• Insurance providers require comprehensive protective measures during powerful cyclones
• Cathay Pacific’s protocols include both hangar storage and international relocation strategies for severe weather events
• Hong Kong Observatory’s typhoon Ragasa signal 10 triggered automatic implementation of safety protocols across all operations

Cathay Pacific’s historical approaches to typhoon preparedness, refined through experience with major storms, include both hangar storage at Hong Kong airport and strategic relocation to alternative destinations during severe weather. The airline’s decision to evacuate significant portions of its fleet to multiple international locations reflected lessons learned from previous cyclone experiences and evolving insurance industry requirements. These protocols ensure operational readiness for service resumption after major weather events while minimizing potential aircraft damage.

The Hong Kong Observatory’s issuance of typhoon Ragasa signal 10, the territory’s highest storm warning level, triggered automatic implementation of safety protocols across all airport operations. This systematic approach to extreme weather management represents decades of refined procedures developed through experience with recurring typhoon seasons in the region. Documentation of protective measures during severe weather events like Typhoon Ragasa remains essential for potential insurance claims processing.

Timeline of Typhoon Ragasa’s operational impact on Hong Kong International Airport

Recovery Operations After the Storm

Hong Kong International Airport’s recovery operations commenced Thursday morning with the gradual resumption of flight services across all three runways, as the super typhoon Ragasa moved westward and weakened. The systematic restart of operations involved coordinating the return of evacuated aircraft, repositioning flight crews, and managing the substantial passenger backlog accumulated during the storm. Airport officials anticipated handling approximately 1,000 flights during the initial recovery phase, representing normal operational capacity.

• Airport Authority’s Emergency Centre maintained continuous coordination throughout the recovery process
• Essential infrastructure underwent comprehensive safety inspections after the cyclone passed
• Airlines faced complex logistics coordinating aircraft returns from multiple international locations

The Airport Authority’s Emergency Centre maintained continuous coordination with the Civil Aviation Department and airline partners throughout the recovery process, implementing contingency measures to restore full service capacity. Essential airport infrastructure, including air bridges and drainage systems, underwent comprehensive safety inspections following the storm before normal operations resumed. Ground transportation services between Hong Kong International Airport and the city center gradually restored service as typhoon warning signals decreased.

Airlines faced complex logistical challenges in coordinating aircraft returns from multiple international locations while managing crew scheduling and passenger rebooking requirements following the weather event. The staggered return of evacuated aircraft required careful coordination to prevent operational bottlenecks at Hong Kong International Airport during the recovery phase. Weather monitoring systems continued tracking the cyclone’s westward movement and gradual weakening into a tropical storm, enabling confident resumption of normal flight operations.

Closing Assessment

Typhoon Ragasa’s impact on Hong Kong’s aviation sector demonstrated both the vulnerability and resilience of modern air transportation systems during extreme weather events. The unprecedented 80% evacuation of the territory’s commercial aircraft fleet showcased sophisticated disaster preparedness protocols developed through decades of typhoon season experience. While the super typhoon represented significant operational and financial disruption through its 36-hour closure period, the systematic approach to fleet protection and passenger safety reflected industry best practices and regulatory compliance standards.

The successful coordination between airlines, airport authorities, and international partners during the evacuation and recovery phases highlighted the global nature of modern aviation crisis management. Hong Kong International Airport’s strategic importance as a major cargo and passenger hub necessitated rapid service restoration to minimize broader economic impacts across the Asia-Pacific region. The lessons learned from this major weather event will likely influence future typhoon preparedness protocols and insurance requirements across the international aviation industry, establishing new benchmarks for extreme weather response procedures.