Asia Travel Chaos Continues as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan and More Face 787 Delays and 35 Cancellations, Affecting Batik Air, AirAsia, Garuda, Jetstar, ANA Wings, Chengdu Airlines and Others in Jakarta, Phuket, Kagoshima, Osaka and Beyond

Published on February 28, 2026

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Asia’s air travel network is currently facing significant turmoil, with widespread flight cancellations and delays affecting major airports across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, and Japan. A total of 35 flights have been cancelled, and 787 others delayed, severely disrupting the schedules of airlines such as Batik Air, AirAsia, Garuda, Jetstar, ANA Wings, Chengdu Airlines, and more. These disruptions have caused considerable challenges for passengers traveling to and from cities like Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Makassar, Kota Kinabalu, Urumqi, Qingdao, Singapore, Osaka, and beyond.

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Overview of Total Cancellations and Delays

Here is a breakdown of the flight cancellations and delays recorded across major airports in the affected regions:

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL): 10 cancellations, 202 delays
• Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) – Jakarta: 9 cancellations, 51 delays
• Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) – Makassar: 3 cancellations, 32 delays
• Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI): 4 cancellations, 25 delays
• Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC): 1 cancellation, 181 delays
• Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO): 2 cancellations, 101 delays
• Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX): 2 cancellations, 88 delays
• Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): 1 cancellation, 61 delays
• Phuket International Airport (HKT): 1 cancellation, 27 delays
• Kagoshima Airport (KOJ): 1 cancellation, 4 delays
• Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX): 1 cancellation, 15 delays

This disruption has caused ripple effects across regional and international flights, with many passengers stranded or rerouted as airlines scramble to find alternative solutions.

Flight Cancellations and Delays Analysis

The ongoing chaos across Asia’s major airports highlights the severity of the issues that have been plaguing the region’s air travel industry. To understand the scale of this disruption, let’s delve deeper into the cancellations and delays at some of the most heavily impacted airports:

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)

Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia’s busiest airport, has seen the largest number of delays, with 202 flights delayed and 10 cancelled. The majority of delays were caused by operational inefficiencies and aircraft availability issues. This number represents a mix of domestic and international flights, with airlines like AirAsia and Batik Air being hit the hardest. Passengers were often informed of the delays after already arriving at the airport, contributing to further frustration.

The delays have primarily been linked to the aircraft not being available for scheduled departures due to maintenance issues or late arrivals from earlier flights. As a result, many travelers faced delays ranging from several hours to more than half a day, while others had their flights entirely cancelled.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) – Jakarta

Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia, recorded 9 flight cancellations and 51 delays. The delay rate was particularly high for Batik Air and Garuda Indonesia, as these airlines were significantly impacted by operational constraints. The cancellations were largely due to issues with aircraft turnaround times, as well as delays in flights arriving from other international destinations.

As the delays continued to pile up, airport authorities struggled to manage the growing crowd, leading to an even more chaotic atmosphere at check-in counters and customer service desks. Many passengers on connecting flights found themselves unable to reach their destinations in time, and were often left with little guidance from airlines on alternative routes.

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) – China

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in China faced an alarming 181 delays, with only 1 cancellation. The delays were primarily caused by operational bottlenecks, with several airlines reporting issues with aircraft maintenance and crew scheduling. This caused a domino effect, as one delayed flight led to further delays throughout the day.

In many cases, delayed flights were due to aircraft being held in maintenance for longer than expected. The delays were also aggravated by weather-related issues in the region, further complicating operations and contributing to the operational delays. Passengers faced long waiting times, and some had to wait up to 6 hours for rebooking information.

Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO) – China

Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport saw 2 cancellations and 101 delays. The major disruptions were again tied to technical issues with aircraft, with many flights from regional carriers experiencing prolonged wait times. While delays were not as severe as in other airports, passengers on international routes were particularly affected by the ongoing operational challenges, with some flights departing hours later than scheduled.

Passengers at this airport faced a confusing lack of communication from airlines, as there were no clear indications as to whether their flight would be departing soon or if alternative routes could be found.

Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Singapore’s Changi Airport is generally considered one of the most efficient airports in the world, but even it was not spared from the chaos. With 1 flight cancelled and 61 delayed, the disruptions caused a ripple effect across Southeast Asia and beyond. Delays were largely attributed to logistical challenges in handling the increasing number of flights during peak travel times.

While delays were less frequent compared to other airports, the sheer volume of passengers, many of whom were heading to international destinations, made navigating the airport more difficult. With international flights delayed, travelers on connecting routes were often left waiting for extended periods before they could secure a rebooking.

The Major Causes Behind Cancellations and Delays

The widespread flight cancellations and delays across Asia can be attributed to several factors, many of which are interlinked:

1. Technical Issues with Aircraft: As mentioned, technical issues with aircraft are one of the main reasons for delays and cancellations. Aircraft maintenance and mechanical problems have caused airlines to ground planes, leading to cascading delays for subsequent flights.
2. Adverse Weather Conditions: Many airports, particularly in Southeast Asia, are currently dealing with seasonal weather disruptions, including heavy rain and storms. These weather conditions have caused a delay in flight operations as pilots are forced to wait for improved conditions to ensure safe travel.
3. Operational Constraints and Air Traffic Congestion: Major international airports in cities like Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore are facing air traffic congestion, which has caused delays in the air and on the ground. Airlines are struggling to handle the sheer volume of flights, further complicating the smooth flow of operations.
4. Staff Shortages and Logistical Challenges: Several airports in the region are facing staff shortages, which has led to slower check-in times and security delays. Additionally, logistical challenges related to aircraft turnaround times and gate management have only compounded the delays.

Passenger Tips for Navigating the Chaos

If you are traveling through one of the affected airports, here are a few tips to help you manage the situation:

1. Stay Updated on Flight Status: Regularly check your flight status through your airline’s app, website, or by calling customer service. Most airlines provide real-time updates about cancellations and delays.
2. Sign Up for Notifications: Sign up for flight status alerts via text or email to receive the latest updates on your flight. This will keep you informed and help you make alternate plans quickly.
3. Arrive Early at the Airport: Due to long queues and crowded terminals, it’s advisable to arrive at the airport early to ensure you have ample time to check in and go through security.
4. Know Your Rights as a Passenger: Depending on your region, there are passenger protection laws that entitle travelers to compensation in case of long delays or cancellations. It’s important to know what compensation options are available to you.
5. Be Flexible and Patient: Travel disruptions can be frustrating, but staying patient and being flexible with your travel plans will help you manage the delays more effectively.

The Road to Recovery

Although the situation is challenging, airlines and airports are working diligently to resolve the ongoing issues. Both operational improvements and better communication strategies will be key in minimizing the impact of future disruptions. However, passengers should continue to stay updated and exercise patience while the travel industry recovers from this significant disruption.

Conclusion

The ongoing disruption across Asia’s major airports highlights the vulnerability of air travel networks, particularly during periods of high congestion and when operational challenges arise. Passengers are urged to be patient and to stay informed about the status of their flights. By understanding their rights, arriving early, and exploring alternative travel options, travelers can better manage the inconvenience caused by the delays and cancellations.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware