Flights Cancelled Throughout Asia As Singapore, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, And More Cancel 350 And Delay 3,533 Flights, Disrupting Saudia, Japan Airlines, Akasa Air, And Others

Written By: Ryan Rashid

Ryan Rashid

Ryan Rashid writes news that people actually find and finish reading. Ryan has a knack for turning jargon-heavy updates into engaging journalism anyone can follow in under a minute. An English graduate from Calcutta University, he pairs sharp writing instincts with a solid grip on what makes a story travel online. He keeps a close eye on what's trending and what's about to, so stories land while they still matter. Underneath the fast pace, there's always solid research and clean editing holding it together.

See Full Bio

July 16, 2026 2:02 AM |

Image generated with Ai

Thousands of passengers left grounded across Asia after 3,533 flight delays and 350 cancellations impacted Singapore, Japan, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Shenzhen Bao’an emerged with the highest delays and King Abdulaziz in Jeddah faced the highest cancellations, while Saudia suffered the highest number of disruptions among airlines, with 138 axed. Other heavily affected airlines included Air China, Akasa Air, and Japan Airlines. Airports in cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Tokyo also experienced significant operational disruption.
The widespread problems stem from a combination of regional conflict affecting Saudi Arabia, and international airspace congestion that continues to complicate long-haul operations throughout Asia.

• Shenzhen Bao’an recorded the highest number of delays with 832.
• Saudia was the most disrupted airline, with 329 delays and 138 cancellations.
• Airlines including Air China, China Southern, Malindo Air, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, and flyadeal also experienced widespread operational challenges.

What Is Causing Disruptions In Asia?

In Saudi Arabia, the situation remains heavily influenced by regional conflict. A sharp escalation involving Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting southern Saudi airports, carried out in retaliation for actions involving Yemen’s Sanaa Airport, has forced airlines to adjust operations. Although Saudi air defenses have intercepted many of the attacks, ongoing security concerns, travel advisories from several countries, and threats to commercial aviation have prompted airlines—particularly Saudia—to cancel or reroute numerous flights. The resulting disruption has spread from southern airports to major hubs including Riyadh and Jeddah.

Across China, severe local weather and airspace congestion continue to create widespread operational difficulties, while congestion within the air traffic network has increased delays throughout the day.

Another major factor is international airspace congestion linked to Middle East airspace restrictions. Airlines operating long-haul services to and from India and other parts of Asia are increasingly using longer alternative routes, creating scheduling bottlenecks and reducing aircraft availability. These operational changes are contributing to delays that extend well beyond the regions directly affected by conflict or adverse weather.

Hardest-Hit Asian Airports

Shenzhen Bao’an

Shenzhen experienced the region’s most severe disruption, with 832 delays and 16 cancellations. Shenzhen Airlines, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, China Eastern, and Air China accounted for a large share of the delayed flights as weather and air traffic restrictions affected operations.

King Abdulaziz (Jeddah)

Jeddah recorded 71 delays but a much higher 60 cancellations, with Saudia, flyadeal, and Flynas bearing the brunt of the disruption as operations across Saudi Arabia remained under pressure.

Singapore Changi (Singapore)

Singapore Changi recorded 197 delays and 5 cancellations. Singapore Airlines and Scoot accounted for the largest share of delayed flights.

Kuala Lumpur

The Malaysian hub recorded 281 delays and 5 cancellations. Malindo Air, AirAsia, and Malaysia Airlines experienced the largest share of delayed services.

Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta

The airport logged 255 delays and 24 cancellations, the highest cancellation total outside Saudi Arabia. Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Super Air Jet, and Indonesia AirAsia saw significant disruption.

Tokyo Haneda

Tokyo’s busiest airport recorded 250 delays and 2 cancellations. All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, ANA Wings, and Skymark were among the airlines with the highest operational impact.

Abha Airport

Abha Airport experienced one of the highest cancellation totals in Asia, reporting 52 cancellations. Saudia was the most affected airline, as security concerns and operational restrictions continued to impact air travel in southern Saudi Arabia.

Which Airports Could Continue Seeing Delays Over the Next 24 Hours?

Although airlines are working to restore normal operations, some of Asia’s busiest hubs may continue experiencing delays as aircraft and crews are repositioned. Airports including Shenzhen Bao’an, Beijing Capital, Chengdu Tianfu, Beijing Daxing, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, Kuala Lumpur, King Abdulaziz in Jeddah, and King Khalid in Riyadh might remain under operational pressure. Travelers passing through these airports are advised to monitor their flight status closely, as departure times, gates, and aircraft assignments may continue to change while airlines work to clear the backlog.

Airlines Most Disrupted by Flight Cancellations In Asia

Saudia

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier recorded 138 cancellations and 329 delays, making it the most affected airline in Asia as disruptions spread across Riyadh, Jeddah, Gizan, and Abha.

Akasa Air

India’s Akasa Air recorded 32 cancellations, mainly across Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi, while also facing several delays.

Air China

Air China logged 27 cancellations and 329 delays, with disruptions extending across Beijing Capital, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shenzhen.

What Should Impacted Passengers Do?

• Check your airline’s latest flight status before leaving for the airport.
• Allow extra travel time, especially if flying through busy hubs such as Beijing Capital, Shenzhen Bao’an, Riyadh, or Jeddah.
• Enable airline notifications to receive gate, schedule, and rebooking updates.
• Keep essential medications, chargers, travel documents, and a change of clothes in your cabin baggage.
• Contact your airline promptly if your flight is cancelled to discuss rebooking or refund options.
• If you have connecting flights through airports such as Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Delhi, or Tokyo, monitor your itinerary closely for onward changes.

Learn More

Overview of Flight Cancellations And Delays

The latest disruption has affected both domestic and international travel across some of Asia’s busiest aviation markets. Airlines including Saudia, Air China, China Southern, Malindo Air, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Batik Air, and China Eastern have all experienced operational pressure as flights struggled to stay on schedule.
Passengers traveling through cities such as Shenzhen, Beijing, Chengdu, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Jeddah, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Tokyo, and Singapore encountered varying levels of disruption, ranging from moderate delays to extensive cancellations.
With security concerns in parts of the Middle East, operational challenging in China, and continued congestion across international flight corridors, airlines are working to restore schedules.

Data Verification Notice

The Data is extensively curated by me with figures derived from Flightaware dated 15th July 3:11 pm ET USA

Primary Source: Real-time data aggregated via FlightAware.

Verification Protocol: Statistics are cross-checked by our human editorial desk. Timestamped logs and feed snapshots are securely archived internally to maintain historical accuracy.

Note: Real-time tracking figures represent active airspace data and may experience minor variances from local airport terminal gates. 

Travelers are advised to check respective airline and airports for more latest information and updates