Flights Cancelled Around Asia as Airports like Riyadh, Incheon, New Delhi and Others Suspend 258 Flights and Delay 5,090 More

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Asian aviation network is under massive pressure as major airports across the continent suspend 258 flights and delay 5,090 flights disrupting travel for numerous passengers. Cities like Riyadh, Seoul, New Delhi, Jakarta, Beijing, Shanghai and more were among the worst affected in Asia. Airlines including Saudia, Gulf Air, Emirates and more cancelled a huge number of flights amid the continuing tensions across the middle east. The disruption comes as the Middle East is facing heightened geopolitical pressure, including tensions between Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel and the United States. While the data does not include individual cancellations publicly blamed on security incidents, the clustering of disruption around Saudi aviation hubs highlights the increasing operational sensitivity in one of the world’s most strategically vital air corridors. On the other hand, China and parts of South East Asia is facing severe rainfall, landslides and extreme heatwave impacting schedules for airlines like XiamenAir, All Nippon, SpiceJet. Travellers are advised to stay updated with realtime news from regional networks and official airline notifications.

China Aviation Disruption Deepens as Major Airports Face Heavy Delay Volumes

China has emerged as the biggest centre of aviation disruption, with several major airports reporting hundreds of delays. The country recorded 3,167 delays and 100 cancellations across the listed airports, making it the most affected aviation market in the region.

The largest disruption was recorded at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which reported 573 delays and 5 cancellations, followed by Beijing Capital International Airport with 522 delays and 15 cancellations. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport also experienced major operational pressure with 454 delays and 9 cancellations.

Other major Chinese airports affected include:

• Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport with 374 delays and 5 cancellations
• Beijing Daxing International Airport with 307 delays and 3 cancellations
• Xi’an Xianyang International Airport with 232 delays and 7 cancellations
• Chengdu Tianfu International Airport with 219 delays and 4 cancellations
• Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport with 219 delays and 38 cancellations
• Haikou Meilan International Airport with 151 delays and 4 cancellations
• Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport with 116 delays and 10 cancellations

The scale of disruption across China has affected multiple airlines. China Eastern recorded 826 delays, making it one of the most affected carriers in the region. China Southern Airlines reported 720 delays, while Air China recorded 508 delays. Other airlines facing pressure included XiamenAir with 241 delays and 27 cancellations, Hainan Airlines with 227 delays, Spring Airlines with 176 delays, and Juneyao Airlines with 120 delays.

The disruption has created uncertainty for passengers travelling through major Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an and Xiamen, where airport congestion and schedule adjustments may continue.

Middle East Aviation Faces Pressure as Gulf Airports Report Significant Delays

The Middle East has also experienced major travel disruption, with aviation hubs in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain reporting significant operational challenges.

The region recorded 887 delays and 134 cancellations across the listed airports, with Gulf aviation centres experiencing some of the largest impacts outside China.

Dubai International Airport recorded the highest number of delays in the Middle East with 381 delays and 5 cancellations, highlighting pressure at one of the world’s busiest international transit hubs. Sharjah International Airport followed with 147 delays and 5 cancellations.

Saudi Arabia also faced disruption across several airports. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reported 116 delays and 35 cancellations, while King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded 77 delays and 23 cancellations. Abha Regional Airport reported 22 delays and 22 cancellations, while Gizan Regional Airport and Najran Domestic Airport recorded cancellations despite reporting no delays.

Other affected airports included:

• Hamad International Airport in Qatar with 115 delays and 4 cancellations
• Bahrain International Airport with 20 delays and 5 cancellations
• Al Maktoum International Airport in the UAE with 9 delays and 3 cancellations

Airlines operating across the region were also affected. Saudia recorded 56 cancellations and 42 delays, while FlyDubai reported 195 delays and Emirates recorded 145 delays. Air Arabia experienced 128 delays, while Flynas recorded 44 delays.

The disruption comes as regional tensions and diplomatic developments surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continue to create uncertainty for aviation planning and international travel routes.

India, South Korea and Southeast Asia Experience Additional Travel Pressure

South Asian aviation has also faced disruption, with India recording significant delays at its busiest airports. Indian airports in the provided data recorded 418 delays and 6 cancellations.

Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi reported 251 delays and 3 cancellations, while Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai recorded 167 delays and 3 cancellations.

Indian airlines affected include IndiGo with 248 delays, Air India Express with 147 delays, SpiceJet with 48 delays and 5 cancellations, and Akasa Air with 18 delays and 2 cancellations.

South Korea’s Incheon International Airport recorded 164 delays and 3 cancellations, adding pressure to East Asian travel routes.

Southeast Asia recorded disruption through Batik Air, which reported 75 delays and 7 cancellations, affecting regional connectivity.

• As of 2nd August 2026 at 2:41 pm ET USA (10:41 pm GST), airports across Asia faces 258 cancellations and 5,090 delays.

Weather Conditions and Regional Risks Add Pressure on Asian Travel Routes

The disruption pattern reflects the growing impact of weather-related challenges across Asia. Heavy rainfall, flooding risks and extreme temperatures have affected airport operations in several countries.

China has faced widespread rainfall and flood concerns, while South Korea has experienced record-breaking heat conditions. India has also seen monsoon-related weather alerts, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds affecting several regions.

These conditions can slow airport operations by reducing visibility, affecting aircraft movement, delaying ground handling and creating longer passenger processing times.

 Travel and Tour World reached out relevant airports for verification regarding today’s flight disruptions and operational status.

Hamad: With reference to your enquiry, we kindly advise you to get in touch with the respective airline.

Rest of the airports did not respond. We only got automated responses

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

Passengers travelling through affected Asian airports should take several steps to reduce disruption risks:

• Check the latest flight status directly with airlines before travelling to the airport.
• Arrive earlier than usual, especially when travelling through major hubs such as Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, Dubai International, Delhi and Mumbai.
• Keep alternative travel arrangements available if connecting flights are affected.
• Monitor airport announcements and airline notifications for schedule changes.
• Avoid making tight connections when travelling through airports reporting high delay volumes.
• Keep essential medication, documents and personal items in carry-on luggage in case of extended delays.

Data Verification Notice

The data has been extensively curated by our editorial team using real-time aviation figures recorded on 2nd August 2026 at 2:41 pm ET USA (10:41 pm GST)
Primary Source: FlightAware.
Verification Protocol: All statistics have been independently reviewed and cross-checked by our human editorial desk. Timestamped records, data logs and feed snapshots are securely archived internally to support historical accuracy and editorial transparency.
Note: Real-time flight-tracking figures reflect active airspace and operational data. Minor variations may occur when compared with information displayed at individual airport terminals or airline departure gates.

Read our yesterday’s article on cancellation and delay informations. Click here.