Flight Gridlock Intensifies Across Asia as Air China, Xiamen, Japan Air, Shenzhen, Garuda and more Airlines Struggle with 107 Cancellations and 435 Delays, Leaving Thousands Stuck in Beijing, Chengdu, Osaka, Lhasa, Jakartaand Others

Published on December 3, 2025

In a dramatic turn of events, several of Asia’s leading airlines have been forced to cancel over 100 flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded at airports across the region. Air China, XiamenAir, Japan Air Commuter, Shenzhen Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Mandarin Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, and Garuda Indonesia have all been hit by disruptions that span both domestic and international routes. Major airports such as Beijing, Chengdu, Osaka, Lhasa, Jakarta, and others have become chaotic hubs of frustrated passengers scrambling to find alternative flights. These cancellations have created a travel nightmare for passengers, who are now left stranded at key transit points across Asia.

Air China: Flights Cancelled – Huge Disruptions on Key Routes

Air China, one of the largest and most influential airlines in China, has been at the center of this travel turmoil, with major flight cancellations across its domestic and international routes. The airline has cited operational issues and air traffic control delays as key causes, and passengers traveling to destinations such as Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, and Shanghai are feeling the brunt of the disruption.

Cancelled Flights:

• CCA4110 — Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Tue 07:55 PM CST
• CCA2646 — Hefei Xinqiao (HFE) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Tue 08:10 PM CST
• CCA1593 — Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) → Penglai International (YNT), Tue 08:10 PM CST
• CCA1727 — Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK), Tue 08:10 PM CST
• CCA1574 — Wenzhou (WNZ) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK), Tue 08:20 PM CST
• CCA4578 — Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) → Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG), Tue 08:20 PM CST
• CCA1525 — Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) → Qingdao Jiaodong (TAO), Tue 08:25 PM CST
• CCA1410 — Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK), Tue 08:25 PM CST
• CCA2958 — Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) → Tianjin Binhai (TSN), Tue 08:35 PM CST
• CCA1236 — Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK), Tue 08:45 PM CST
• CCA1816 — Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK), Tue 08:45 PM CST
• CCA2658 — Zhanjiang (ZHA) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Tue 08:45 PM CST
• CCA1730 — Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) → Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), Tue 08:45 PM CST
• CCA8380 — Nanchang Changbei (KHN) → Beijing Daxing (PKX), Tue 09:05 PM CST
• CCA1821 — Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) → Fuzhou Changle (FOC), Tue 09:15 PM CST
• CCA1510 — Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK), Tue 09:40 PM CST
• CCA8654 — Yinchuan Helanshan (INC) → Beijing Daxing (PKX), Tue 09:45 PM CST
• CCA2748 — Shubuling (LYI) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Tue 09:55 PM CST
• CCA1426 — Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK), Tue 10:10 PM CST
• CCA8324 — Zhanjiang (ZHA) → Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Tue 10:15 PM CST

XiamenAir: Flights Cancelled, Passengers Left in Limbo

XiamenAir, one of China’s leading regional carriers, has also been heavily impacted, with flights grounded. Most of these cancellations have affected travelers on domestic routes, causing major inconvenience, particularly for passengers flying out of major hubs like Guangzhou and Hangzhou.

Cancelled Flights:

• CXA8356 — Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) → Tianjin Binhai (TSN), Tue 09:20 PM CST
• CXA8354 — Nanning Wuxu (NNG) → Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), Tue 09:35 PM CST
• CXA8061 — Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) → Dalian Zhoushuizi (DLC), Wed 06:55 AM CST
• CXA8088 — Shenyang Taoxian (SHE) → Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), Wed 07:30 AM CST
• CXA8435 — Fuzhou Changle (FOC) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Wed 07:50 AM CST
• CXA8049 — Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) → Shenyang Taoxian (SHE), Wed 08:20 AM CST
• CXA8062 — Dalian Zhoushuizi (DLC) → Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), Wed 10:20 AM CST
• CXA8835 — Quanzhou Jinjiang (JJN) → Zunyi Maotai (WMT), Wed 11:45 AM CST
• CXA8492 — Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) → Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), Wed 12:20 PM CST
• CXA8253 — Fuzhou Changle (FOC) → Xi’an Xianyang (XIY), Wed 01:20 PM CST
• CXA8277 — Quanzhou Jinjiang (JJN) → Xi’an Xianyang (XIY), Wed 03:10 PM CST
• CXA8467 — Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) → Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE), Wed 03:10 PM CST
• CXA8121 — Fuzhou Changle (FOC) → Taiyuan Wusu (TYN), Wed 04:25 PM CST
• CXA8131 — Quanzhou Jinjiang (JJN) → Beijing Daxing (PKX), Wed 04:40 PM CST
• CXA8791 — Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) → Zhuhai (ZUH), Wed 04:40 PM CST
• CXA8355 — Tianjin Binhai (TSN) → Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Wed 04:50 PM CST
• CXA8253 — Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) → Guyuan Liupanshan (GYU), Wed 05:10 PM CST
• CXA8254 — Guyuan Liupanshan (GYU) → Xi’an Xianyang (XIY), Wed 07:00 PM CST
• CXA8468 — Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE) → Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), Wed 07:05 PM CST
• CXA8278 — Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) → Quanzhou Jinjiang (JJN), Wed 07:20 PM CST

Japan Air Commuter: Regional Flights Canceled Across the Country

Japan Air Commuter has experienced widespread cancellations, mostly affecting regional flights within Japan. With flights grounded, the airline’s usual reliable domestic network has been severely disrupted, particularly in remote island routes.

Cancelled Flights:

• JAC2324 — Tajima (TJH) → Osaka Itami (ITM), Wed 10:20 AM JST
• JAC3743 — Kagoshima (KOJ) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 10:40 AM JST
• JAC4331 — Kagoshima (KOJ) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 10:40 AM JST
• JAC4333 — Kagoshima (KOJ) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 11:25 AM JST
• JAC3745 — Kagoshima (KOJ) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 11:25 AM JST
• JAC2451 — Osaka Itami (ITM) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 11:35 AM JST
• JAC4332 — Yakushima (KUM) → Kagoshima (KOJ), Wed 11:50 AM JST
• JAC3744 — Yakushima (KUM) → Kagoshima (KOJ), Wed 11:50 AM JST
• JAC4390 — Yakushima (KUM) → Fukuoka (FUK), Wed 12:35 PM JST
• JAC3676 — Yakushima (KUM) → Fukuoka (FUK), Wed 12:35 PM JST
• JAC3673 — Fukuoka (FUK) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 01:05 PM JST
• JAC4377 — Fukuoka (FUK) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 01:05 PM JST
• JAC3746 — Yakushima (KUM) → Kagoshima (KOJ), Wed 01:55 PM JST
• JAC2450 — Yakushima (KUM) → Osaka Itami (ITM), Wed 02:50 PM JST
• JAC2325 — Osaka Itami (ITM) → Tajima (TJH), Wed 05:00 PM JST
• JAC3759 — Kagoshima (KOJ) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 05:56 PM JST
• JAC4337 — Kagoshima (KOJ) → Yakushima (KUM), Wed 05:56 PM JST
• JAC2326 — Tajima (TJH) → Osaka Itami (ITM), Wed 06:05 PM JST
• JAC4338 — Yakushima (KUM) → Kagoshima (KOJ), Wed 07:05 PM JST
• JAC3756 — Yakushima (KUM) → Kagoshima (KOJ), Wed 07:05 PM JST

Shenzhen Airlines: Flights Cancelled, Causing Major Delays

Shenzhen Airlines is facing significant operational issues, with flights canceled across its extensive domestic network. Passengers are experiencing delays, and the airline’s failure to maintain its tight schedule is causing havoc, especially during peak travel periods.

Cancelled Flights:

• CSZ8191 — Yuncheng (YCU) → Wenzhou (WNZ), Tue 08:15 PM CST
• CSZ8526 — Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE) → Wuxi (WUX), Tue 08:30 PM CST
• CSZ8568 — Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) → Nanjing Lukou (NKG), Tue 09:20 PM CST
• CSZ9196 — Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK), Tue 09:40 PM CST
• CSZ8155 — Yuncheng (YCU) → Nanjing Lukou (NKG), Tue 09:55 PM CST
• CSZ9171 — Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) → Nantong (NTG), Tue 10:00 PM CST
• CSZ9327 — Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) → Zhanjiang (ZHA), Tue 10:15 PM CST
• CSZ9591 — Nanjing Lukou (NKG) → Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG), Tue 10:45 PM CST
• CSZ9195 — Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Wed 07:05 AM CST
• CSZ9561 — Nanjing Lukou (NKG) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Wed 07:10 AM CST
• CSZ8377 — Zhengzhou Xinzheng (CGO) → Huizhou Pingtan (HUZ), Wed 07:10 AM CST
• CSZ9328 — Zhanjiang (ZHA) → Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), Wed 07:50 AM CST
• CSZ8542 — Shenyang Taoxian (SHE) → Wuxi (WUX), Wed 07:55 AM CST
• CSZ8929 — Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) → Xiangfan (XFN), Wed 07:55 AM CST
• CSZ9702 — Nanjing Lukou (NKG) → Shenyang Taoxian (SHE), Wed 08:20 AM CST
• CSZ9210 — Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) → Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), Wed 09:05 AM CST
• CSZ9139 — Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) → Yuncheng (YCU), Wed 09:15 AM CST
• CSZ9251 — Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) → Yangzhou Taizhou (YTY), Wed 09:30 AM CST
• CSZ8378 — Huizhou Pingtan (HUZ) → Zhengzhou Xinzheng (CGO), Wed 10:15 AM CST
• CSZ8930 — Xiangfan (XFN) → Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), Wed 10:50 AM CST

Tibet Airlines: Flights Canceled, High-Altitude Routes Struggle

Tibet Airlines has been hit particularly hard due to weather and altitude constraints affecting its flights. With cancellations, the airline’s operations to and from the mountainous Tibetan region have been severely disrupted, stranding passengers traveling to remote destinations.

Cancelled Flights:

• TBA9720 — Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG), Tue 09:40 PM CST
• TBA9847 — Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) → Nyingchi Mainling (LZY), Wed 06:50 AM CST
• TBA9849 — Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Qamdo Bangda (BPX), Wed 07:30 AM CST
• TBA9850 — Qamdo Bangda (BPX) → Lhasa Gonggar (LXA), Wed 09:20 AM CST
• TBA9848 — Nyingchi Mainling (LZY) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Wed 10:00 AM CST
• TBA9730 — Hefei Xinqiao (HFE) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Wed 06:35 PM CST
• TBA9976 — Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) → Shigatse Peace (RKZ), Thu 06:45 AM CST
• TBA9956 — Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) → Qamdo Bangda (BPX), Thu 07:00 AM CST
• TBA9807 — Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Ngari Gunsa (NGQ), Thu 07:45 AM CST
• TBA9955 — Qamdo Bangda (BPX) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Thu 10:10 AM CST
• TBA9975 — Shigatse Peace (RKZ) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Thu 10:10 AM CST
• TBA9808 — Ngari Gunsa (NGQ) → Lhasa Gonggar (LXA), Thu 10:30 AM CST
• TBA9820 — Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Thu 04:00 PM CST
• TBA9730 — Hefei Xinqiao (HFE) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Thu 06:35 PM CST
• TBA9924 — Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) → Lhasa Gonggar (LXA), Thu 07:25 PM CST
• TBA9804 — Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Thu 07:55 PM CST
• TBA9720 — Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG), Thu 09:40 PM CST

Mandarin Airlines: Regional Flights Affected by Operational Issues

Mandarin Airlines, a subsidiary of China Airlines, has been impacted by a small number of cancellations, all affecting its domestic Taiwanese flights. However, the disruptions are still notable for the passengers involved, particularly for those on short regional routes.

Cancelled Flights:

• MDA1273 — Taipei Songshan (TSA) → Kinmen (KNH), Wed 02:50 PM CST
• MDA1257 — Taipei Songshan (TSA) → Kinmen (KNH), Wed 07:00 PM CST
• MDA1258 — Kinmen (KNH) → Taipei Songshan (TSA), Wed 08:55 PM CST

Cambodia Angkor Air: Flights Cancelled Amid Operational Setbacks

Cambodia Angkor Air, the flag carrier of Cambodia, has faced limited disruptions with just two cancellations due to technical issues. The small number of flights affected still has a ripple effect on travel across Southeast Asia.

Cancelled Flights:

• KHV109 — Techo International (KTI) → Siem Reap–Angkor Int’l (SAI), Wed 08:13 PM +07
• KHV110 — Siem Reap–Angkor Int’l (SAI) → Techo International (KTI), Wed 09:47 PM +07

Garuda Indonesia: Flights Canceled, Regional and International Impact

Garuda Indonesia has seen five key flights canceled, disrupting both its domestic and international services. These cancellations are due to operational and scheduling challenges, creating confusion among passengers, especially those traveling to Southeast Asia.

Cancelled Flights:

• GIA180 — Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP) → Kuala Namu International (KNO), Wed 06:25 AM WIB
• GIA181 — Kuala Namu International (KNO) → Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP), Wed 09:50 AM WIB
• GIA162 — Jakarta‑Soekarno‑Hatta (CGK) → Minangkabau International (PDG), Wed 02:50 PM WIB
• GIA146 — Jakarta‑Soekarno‑Hatta (CGK) → Sultan Iskandarmuda (BTJ), Thu 12:05 PM WIB
• GIA147 — Sultan Iskandarmuda (BTJ) → Jakarta‑Soekarno‑Hatta (CGK), Thu 03:50 PM WIB

Airport Analysis: Major Hubs Are Feeling the Strain

The affected airlines operate primarily out of major airports in Asia such as Beijing Capital (PEK), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), and Soekarno-Hatta (CGK). Passengers traveling through these airports have encountered lengthy delays, overcrowded terminals, and limited flight options. Airlines are struggling to accommodate the surge of rebooked passengers, leading to further congestion and frustration at major transit points.

What’s Causing the Cancellations? Operational Challenges and More

These widespread cancellations are due to several factors:

• Weather-related disruptions, particularly affecting flights to high-altitude destinations like Lhasa and other Tibetan regions.
• Operational challenges, including staffing issues and maintenance delays.
• Air traffic control bottlenecks causing delays and scheduling conflicts for both regional and international flights.
• Aircraft availability problems, particularly for Garuda Indonesia and Cambodia Angkor Air, who are dealing with fleet maintenance concerns.

Impact on Passengers: A Nightmare for Travelers

For passengers, these cancellations have caused massive inconvenience. Many have been left stranded, trying to secure new flights or alternative travel options. Business travelers, in particular, face the risk of missing important meetings, while leisure travelers are frustrated as they miss out on their planned holidays. With some flights already booked solid, finding new options on short notice has proven to be a challenge for those caught in the chaos.

Tips for Affected Passengers: What to Do Next

• Stay updated: Regularly check for updates from your airline regarding flight status.
• Reach out to customer service: If your flight has been canceled, contact your airline immediately for rebooking options.
• Alternative arrangements: Consider taking a train, bus, or even looking into nearby airports that may have available flights.
• Prepare for delays: Expect long queues and possibly overnight stays at airports. Make sure you have essentials like food, water, and chargers.
• Know your rights: Depending on your location and airline, compensation or accommodations may be provided, so be sure to ask.

Conclusion: Asia’s Air Travel Under Strain — Expect Uncertainty Ahead

With over a hundred flights cancelled across eight major airlines and spanning across China, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia and Indonesia, Asia’s air‑travel network is under heavy strain. For now, uncertainty prevails — and reliable, last‑minute planning has become a must for anyone flying in the region. Travellers must stay alert, flexible and ready to pivot. Those with flexible schedules or alternative transport backup are likely to fare better. But for many, this disruption could turn routine travel into a logistical challenge.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware