ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The world’s busiest airport has been even busier behind the scenes as crews prepare for the winter weather heading into Georgia on Saturday night.

The storm has already affected flights nationwide. According to FlightAware, more than 4,200 flights have been cancelled nationwide on Saturday. On Sunday, that number hits 9,000 — including more than 900 into and out of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

UPDATES: Hundreds of flights canceled, delayed at Hartsfield-Jackson airport

Some passengers have already made arrangements to switch their flights to get ahead of the storm.

Mark Nevle said his daughter and about 30 other students from Blessed Kennedy Catholic High School are on their way back from March for Life in Washington, D.C.

“They were originally supposed to come back tomorrow, but the school had the foresight and good planning to change all the flights and get them back here today,” he said. “We were laughing, we were looking at the weather map, and you can see their flight coming in right next to the big storm that’s moving in.”

He said he’s glad to see their school being proactive, especially after the storm Atlanta saw back in 2014.

“I think when we were all here for ‘Snow-Palooza’ X number of years ago, I think everybody is a little more proactive now in what they do,” he said. “You put everything in God’s hands that everything is gonna work out fine. Get these kids home safe and sound.”

FULL FORECAST: Freezing rain, ice to develop tonight in north Georgia

To prepare for the incoming weather in Atlanta, airport leaders bought more than $3 million worth of new equipment in the last year. Crews have been training around the clock to be able to use it effectively.

Deputy General Manager of Operations Gus Hudson said a 45-machine fleet is ready to clear the airfield of any ice. They’ve also stocked up 16,000 gallons of liquid brine and 95,000 gallons of liquid deicer, with a staffing plan of 12-hour shifts.

“We are ensuring that we have all of our equipment topped off, all of our equipment is checked out and ready to go, all the materials that we need to clear runways, taxiways and roads are topped off and then practicing working with equipment to make sure the teams are efficient in how they operate the equipment,” Hudson said.

The airport’s Emergency Operations Center is now activated until the airport returns to normal operations.

More ice storm coverage:

LIVE UPDATES: Winter ice storm set to move in this evening | First Alert Weather

FULL LIST: School districts close Monday ahead of ice storm

GEMA warns historic ice storm could bring widespread power outages

Hartsfield-Jackson airport officials share winter storm preparation plans

Why ice storms threaten north Georgia and Atlanta; the science behind this event

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