
Wed Sep 24 08:57:25 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the article and a rewritten version in news article format, aimed at an Indian audience following global events:
**Summary:**
Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest tropical cyclone of the year, forced the cancellation of all flights at Hong Kong International Airport for 36 hours. Airlines based in Hong Kong, including Cathay Pacific, Greater Bay Airlines, and Hong Kong Airlines, relocated approximately 80% of their aircraft to airports across Asia, Europe, and Australia to avoid damage. Cathay Pacific alone cancelled over 500 flights. The storm triggered Hong Kong’s highest typhoon warning, shutting down businesses and transport. This proactive measure of moving aircraft is standard industry practice during major weather events to safeguard assets and comply with insurance requirements.
**News Article:**
**Typhoon Ragasa Grounds Hong Kong Flights, Airlines Relocate Fleets**
**Hong Kong, September 24, 2025:** Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful tropical cyclone of the year, has brought Hong Kong International Airport, a major global hub, to a standstill. All landings and departures were cancelled for 36 hours starting Tuesday evening as the storm approached, causing significant disruption to air travel and cargo operations.
Airlines based in the city, including Cathay Pacific, Greater Bay Airlines, and Hong Kong Airlines, took preemptive measures to protect their fleets. Approximately 80% of the aircraft belonging to the four major Hong Kong-based airlines were relocated to safer locations, including airports in Japan, China, Cambodia, Europe, and Australia, according to Flightradar24 data. Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s largest carrier, reported cancelling over 500 flights in anticipation of the storm.
“We are positioning some of our aircraft away from Hong Kong and expect a staggered and gradual resumption to our schedule throughout Thursday into Friday,” said Cathay Pacific in a statement released earlier in the week.
The Hong Kong government issued its highest typhoon warning, Signal 10, prompting widespread shutdowns of businesses and transportation services. This event highlights the vulnerability of major infrastructure to increasingly frequent and intense weather events, a growing concern given rising global temperatures.
Relocating aircraft is a common practice in the airline industry during major weather events or periods of heightened risk, aiming to protect valuable assets from potential damage. This situation is reminiscent of similar disruptions seen in other regions prone to cyclones and hurricanes. Indian travellers planning connecting flights through Hong Kong should check with their airlines for updated schedules and potential delays.