PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM) has resumed normal operations following a high-profile security and weather incident that left a federal charter flight grounded for nearly 48 hours. The aircraft, identified as a repatriation flight operated on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), successfully departed for Sofia, Bulgaria, early Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026.
The ordeal began during the peak of Monday’s severe winter storm, which blanketed the Seacoast region in heavy, wet snow and ice. The aircraft, a widebody jet tasked with an international repatriation mission, landed at approximately 1:00 AM on Monday, February 23. However, deteriorating conditions and accumulating drifts prevented the massive airframe from safely maneuvering to the terminal or a designated de-icing pad.
Photo: AeroXplorer/ Hendrik Bittorf
Tarmac Seclusion and Security Concerns
For more than 12 hours, the aircraft remained stationary on a remote section of the tarmac. Because the flight was transporting detainees, strict security protocols prevented the passengers from deplaning into the general terminal area. Airport ground crews worked through the night to clear a path, but the sheer volume of the “Monday snowstorm” made the recovery of the aircraft’s position a grueling task.
Local authorities and airport officials monitored the situation closely as the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU) provided heat and light to those on board. A report confirmed the logistical deadlock:
“The plane was not able to make it to the terminal due to the weather conditions and has been sitting on the tarmac for more than 12 hours.”
The delay sparked discussions regarding the limitations of secondary international gateways like Pease during extreme weather events, particularly when handling sensitive federal charters. By Tuesday evening, the taxiways were deemed safe for heavy aircraft movement, allowing the flight to undergo a full de-icing procedure before its final departure.
Transatlantic Resumption
The flight, operating under a charter callsign, was cleared for takeoff at 6:40 AM on Wednesday. Its destination, Sofia Airport (SOF), serves as a frequent transit point for European repatriation efforts. Aviation tracking data confirms the aircraft is currently over the North Atlantic, expected to land in Bulgaria late this evening.
While Pease is a joint civil-military facility and often hosts large-scale operations, the combination of a federal ICE mission and a major blizzard created a unique set of challenges for the New Hampshire hub.
Photo: AeroXplorer/ Caleb Fleming
Impacted and Scheduled Air Operations
The ground stop on Monday and the subsequent recovery on Tuesday impacted several scheduled regional and charter services at Pease. The following table highlights the primary operations affected by the snowstorm and the eventual departure of the stranded international flight.
Despite the significant delay, airport management confirmed that no medical emergencies were reported on board the ICE flight during its time on the tarmac. With the skies now clear, the airport has fully transitioned back to its regular schedule of Allegiant and Breeze Airways services.