Aircraft Evacuation: Airlines Move Fleets Ahead of Storm

Airlines launched a coordinated aircraft evacuation on September 24, 2025, moving planes out of the storm’s projected path to protect fleets and limit operational disruption.

Major U.S. carriers began repositioning aircraft from airports threatened by a fast-moving storm on September 24, 2025. The aircraft evacuation was a precautionary measure to prevent storm damage to jets, reduce the chance of prolonged groundings and keep schedules recoverable once conditions improve.

Operators used ferry flights and repositioning plans to move aircraft to safer airports, temporarily shifting crews and maintenance resources as needed. Airlines say these steps aim to preserve valuable assets and avoid cascading cancellations that can affect thousands of passengers.

How aircraft evacuation works

The process typically involves assessing wind, hail and flood risk, selecting alternate airports with available gates and fuel, and flying aircraft clear of the highest-risk zones. On-the-ground teams coordinate parking, de-icing and servicing at host airports so affected planes can return to revenue service quickly.

Why airlines ordered an aircraft evacuation: to protect fleets, reduce cancellations and speed post-storm recovery
Operations include ferry flights, temporary basing and redistributed maintenance
Advance planning limits passenger disruption and protects airport infrastructure

While details on specific carriers and aircraft types were not released publicly, the move highlights how extreme weather is increasingly shaping airline operations and contingency planning at U.S. airports. Expect airlines to publish updates on schedule impacts and recovery timelines as the storm passes.