Mass Flight Disruptions Shake Asia as 33 Flights Canceled and 131 Delays Reported: ANA Wings, All Nippon, Batik Air, and Malaysia Airlines Hit Hard by Storms – Tokyo, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur Majorly Affected

Published on December 9, 2025

A wave of flight cancellations has rocked the aviation industry in Asia as severe weather conditions have caused massive disruptions for passengers across multiple airlines. The cancellation chaos has impacted four major carriers—ANA Wings, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Malaysia Airlines, and Batik Air—leaving travelers stranded, confused, and scrambling for alternate routes. These cancellations have not only created a headache for passengers but have also disrupted the flow of tourism, particularly during peak travel periods.

As the region struggles to recover from these disruptions, it is crucial to examine the reasons behind the cancellations, the specific airports affected, the key regions suffering the brunt of these disturbances, and the routes that are most impacted. Moreover, understanding how this affects local tourism can help in determining the best way forward for the industry and passengers alike.

Key Data of Cancellations: Number of Flights and Affected Regions

The cancellations span multiple regions in Asia, with thousands of passengers bearing the brunt of the disruptions. These cancellations are largely attributed to weather-related issues such as storms, low visibility, and heavy rainfall that rendered travel conditions unsafe. The airlines impacted are:

1. ANA Wings: Flights primarily from Japan.
2. All Nippon Airways: Numerous flights between Japan and international destinations.
3. Malaysia Airlines: Domestic and international flights from Malaysia.
4. Batik Air: Flights connecting Indonesian destinations, with a major impact on Bali.

Affected Airlines and the Countries Hit

ANA Wings & All Nippon Airways (ANA) – Japan
ANA Wings and All Nippon Airways, operating within Japan and to several international destinations, faced widespread cancellations due to inclement weather, especially in regions like Tokyo, Osaka, and the northern parts of Japan. These cancellations severely impacted travelers and the tourism industry, particularly as Japan is a top destination for both business and leisure travel.

Malaysia Airlines – Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines, operating from Kuala Lumpur and other key airports, was forced to cancel several flights due to unpredictable weather, including heavy rainfall and storms. The airline had a substantial impact on both domestic and international routes, including destinations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Batik Air – Indonesia
Batik Air, primarily focused on domestic Indonesian travel and some international destinations, was hit with significant disruptions due to adverse weather, particularly in Bali and Jakarta. These cancellations disrupted tourism and the transportation network in one of Asia’s most popular travel hubs.

Affected Airports

The major airports that have been affected by these cancellations include:

ANA Wings & All Nippon Airways (ANA)

1. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) – A major international hub with cancellations affecting both domestic and international flights.
2. Osaka Itami (Itami Airport) – Another key airport heavily impacted by weather disruptions.
3. New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) – Flights from Sapporo to other parts of Japan were particularly impacted by snow and rainstorms.

Malaysia Airlines

1. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) – The main hub for Malaysia Airlines and one of Southeast Asia’s busiest airports.
2. Penang International Airport – Both domestic and international flights out of Penang were disrupted by poor weather conditions.
3. Langkawi International Airport – The popular tourist island of Langkawi saw several cancellations affecting holidaymakers.

Batik Air

1. Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali) – Bali, a top tourist destination, saw numerous cancellations, affecting thousands of travelers.
2. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Jakarta) – The largest and busiest airport in Indonesia, with multiple flights canceled due to weather.
3. Kuala Namu International Airport (Medan) – Flight cancellations from Medan severely impacted the local tourism and transportation systems.

Key Areas Affected by Cancellations

ANA Wings & All Nippon Airways (ANA)

1. Tokyo and Osaka – These cities, which serve as major international hubs, experienced major flight disruptions.
2. Sapporo and Hokkaido Region – Snowstorms in northern Japan caused flight disruptions, particularly for routes from New Chitose Airport.
3. Kinki Region – Including Osaka and nearby cities, which are major tourist hubs, particularly impacted by the cancellations.

Malaysia Airlines

1. Kuala Lumpur and Surrounding Regions – The capital city of Malaysia saw its primary international and domestic connections affected.
2. Penang and Langkawi – Tourist areas like Penang and Langkawi, popular with international visitors, were significantly affected by the weather disruptions.
3. Southeast Asia – Routes between Malaysia and destinations in Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia were heavily impacted.

Batik Air

1. Bali – Bali, a key international tourist destination, was severely impacted by the flight cancellations, which hampered travel plans for both local and international travelers.
2. Jakarta – As Indonesia’s primary airport, Jakarta was hit with numerous cancellations.
3. Medan and Other Regional Hubs – Regions in Sumatra, such as Medan, saw disruptions due to weather conditions, affecting business and leisure travelers.

Affected Routes and Cities

ANA Wings & All Nippon Airways (ANA)

1. Tokyo to Osaka – A major domestic route connecting Japan’s two largest cities. Cancellations disrupted business travel and tourism.
2. Tokyo to Sapporo – Popular for both business and leisure, flights between Tokyo and New Chitose were heavily affected by snowstorms.
3. International routes – Cancellations on routes from Japan to Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and China, caused major headaches for travelers.

Malaysia Airlines

1. Kuala Lumpur to Singapore – The close proximity of these cities makes this route essential for business and leisure, and weather disruptions severely impacted passenger movement.
2. Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok – Thailand saw significant tourism disruptions, with flights from Malaysia to Bangkok affected.
3. Kuala Lumpur to Middle Eastern Destinations – Flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi faced cancellations, disrupting the business links between Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Batik Air

1. Bali to Jakarta – Bali, being a top tourist destination, suffered heavily, as many flights between Jakarta and Bali were canceled.
2. Bali to Surabaya – Another key route from Bali to Surabaya was affected by poor weather.
3. Bali to Medan – Flights between Bali and the Sumatra region were canceled due to severe weather.

Stranded Passengers: Navigating the Chaos of Cancellations

The aftermath of flight cancellations has left travelers trapped in airport terminals across Asia, facing long delays and uncertainty. As flights were grounded due to severe weather conditions, passengers were forced to wait for hours or even days to secure new bookings. The scramble for rebooking options has intensified as the availability of alternative flights remains limited. Advice for Passengers: If you find yourself stranded, it’s essential to keep communication open with the airline, be proactive in rebooking flights online or via customer service, and keep a close eye on weather updates to avoid further delays.

The Ripple Effect: How Cancellations Hit Local Tourism Hard

The cancellations didn’t just affect passengers—local tourism in key destinations like Bali, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur has also taken a severe hit. With fewer travelers reaching their destinations, restaurants, hotels, and tour operators have seen a sharp decline in revenue. The Local Impact: In Bali, one of the most popular tourist spots in Asia, travelers who planned vacations and resort stays found themselves unable to reach the island. Likewise, Tokyo saw fewer visitors at its iconic attractions. Advice for Tourists: If you’re planning to visit affected destinations, keep an eye on alternate routes and allow flexibility in your travel dates to avoid further disruptions.

Unpredictable Weather: Why These Cancellations Happened

The main cause behind these widespread cancellations is severe weather conditions, including storms, heavy rainfall, and low visibility. Such weather poses risks to aviation safety and leaves airlines with no choice but to ground flights. Understanding Weather Impact: It’s important to understand that while cancellations are frustrating, they are made in the interest of passenger safety. Advice for Passengers: Stay informed by tracking flight statuses in real time and use mobile apps to get instant updates on cancellations or delays.

Aviation Industry’s Crisis: Struggling to Keep Up with Weather Shocks

For the aviation industry, dealing with sudden weather disruptions requires quick responses and effective communication, both of which fell short in many instances. Airlines faced immense pressure in handling large numbers of cancellations and rebookings, which not only affected their reputation but also strained customer relations. Why It Affects Airlines: When cancellations spike, operational efficiency is tested, and a breakdown in communication with passengers can erode trust. Advice for the Industry: Airlines should implement advanced weather prediction tools and invest in customer service systems that allow for smoother transitions during these challenging times.

The Road to Recovery: How Tourism and Aviation Can Bounce Back

Despite the setbacks, both the aviation and tourism industries have a clear path to recovery. Optimizing Crisis Management: Stronger crisis management protocols and better communication strategies will ensure faster recovery from unexpected disruptions. The Role of Collaboration: Airlines must collaborate closely with local tourism boards to provide accurate information and alternative options. Advice for the Industry: Boosting passenger experience during such times can help rebuild trust, as can a stronger emphasis on proactive measures to avoid future chaos.

Conclusion: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

The disruption caused by flight cancellations is undoubtedly a challenge, but it also presents an opportunity for growth and improvement. By focusing on enhanced communication, better crisis management strategies, and collaboration between airlines and tourism boards, both industries can emerge stronger and more resilient, ready to tackle future disruptions with greater efficiency.

Detailed Flight Cancellation Tables

ANA Wings

All Nippon ANA Flights

Malaysia Airlines

Batik Air