Over 1400 Flights Canceled and Thousands of Travelers Stranded Across Major Airports in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan as Typhoon Ragasa Hits, Disrupting Airlines Like China Eastern, Air China, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, and More

Published on September 23, 2025

More than 1,400 flights have been canceled and thousands of passengers remain stranded across several of Asia’s busiest airports—including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Taipei—as Typhoon Ragasa strikes with sustained intensity. Threatening storm conditions and relentless rainfall have compelled major carriers, among them China Eastern, Air China, Cathay Pacific, and EVA Air, to suspend flight operations and impose widespread delays. All affected airports are now reporting significant ripple effects, their air traffic management systems rendered nearly inoperable as the storm’s severe intensity and shifting trajectory undermine planned timetables and render sustained departures and arrivals impossible. The magnitude of disruption has arisen in large part from Ragasa’s erratic and shortened forecast track, which has prompted airlines to pre-emptively suspend services with the overriding objective of safeguarding passengers and controlling the unfolding operational crisis.

Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms of the season, wreaked havoc across the skies and major airports in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, leaving over 1400 flights canceled and thousands of travelers stranded. This unprecedented disruption affected both domestic and international travel, impacting a wide range of airlines, including China Eastern, Air China, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, and more. Key airports like Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taiwan Taoyuan, Taipei, Hong Kong, and others faced extreme delays and cancellations as the typhoon made its way across the region, creating a nightmare scenario for travelers. In this report, we delve into the aftermath of Typhoon Ragasa, how airlines and airports responded to the chaos, and what travelers can expect moving forward.

The Impact of Typhoon Ragasa

Typhoon Ragasa swept through East Asia, causing significant disruptions to air travel. With winds reaching up to 150 km/h (93 mph), the storm was powerful enough to ground flights, close airports, and halt air traffic. Major airlines in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan were affected, leading to the cancellation of over 1400 flights in a single day. This has been one of the worst disruptions in recent years, impacting travelers across the region.

Airlines Hit the Hardest

Among the airlines most impacted by Typhoon Ragasa, China Eastern Airlines experienced significant delays and cancellations. With 258 flights canceled (10%) and 174 delayed (7%), China Eastern saw the largest number of affected flights. Air China, another major carrier, reported 105 flights canceled (5%) and 123 delayed (6%). Cathay Pacific, which operates out of Hong Kong, had to cancel a staggering 200 flights (50%), with 18 additional delays (4%).

Other carriers that felt the brunt of the typhoon’s fury included Hainan Airlines, which had 106 canceled flights (14%) and 35 delays (4%), and EVA Air, which reported 26 cancellations (12%) and 27 delays (13%).

While some airlines, such as Shenzhen Airlines and Spring Airlines, managed to keep disruptions relatively low with 33 delayed flights (4%) and 43 delayed flights (7%), the overall situation across the region was one of overwhelming chaos. Airlines scrambled to rebook passengers, provide refunds, and offer assistance, but the scale of the disruption left many travelers in a state of uncertainty.

Airport-wise Breakdown: The Impact of Typhoon Ragasa

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in China experienced one of the most extreme disruptions due to Typhoon Ragasa. With a staggering 385 flight cancellations and 60 delays, the airport was brought to a standstill as airlines struggled to accommodate passengers and reschedule flights. China Southern Airlines alone reported 202 cancellations (64%) and 9 delays (2%), while China Eastern Airlines faced 66 cancellations (98%) and 8 delays (11%). The chaos at this airport was overwhelming, with travelers left uncertain about their next steps. Passengers were forced to endure long waits at the airport, some even without clear rebooking options, as ground crews worked tirelessly to manage the situation.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Another major airport impacted by Typhoon Ragasa was Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, also in China. This airport recorded over 340 flight cancellations and 113 delays. China Southern Airlines again faced the largest share of disruptions with 160 cancellations (22%) and 49 delays (6%), while China Eastern Airlines reported 87 cancellations (68%) and 17 delays (13%). Hainan Airlines and Air China also experienced considerable delays, further complicating the recovery efforts. The sheer number of stranded travelers put immense pressure on airport staff, creating long lines at customer service desks and confusion about rescheduled flights.

Hong Kong International Airport

In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific was hit the hardest, with 196 cancellations (52%) and 18 delays (4%) reported. The airport, one of the busiest in Asia, was severely impacted by the typhoon, which led to widespread confusion and frustration among passengers. As the storm battered the region, passengers found themselves waiting for hours at check-in counters, unsure when or if their flights would be rescheduled. The airport faced overwhelming crowds as travelers tried to make alternative arrangements. Several international airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, also canceled flights, adding to the confusion and the overall travel nightmare.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, located in Taipei, faced its own set of challenges due to the storm. Cathay Pacific and EVA Air experienced significant disruptions at this airport, with Cathay Pacific seeing 26 cancellations (76%) and EVA Air reporting 22 cancellations (14%). Additionally, EVA Air faced 24 delays (15%), which further contributed to the overwhelming travel disruption. Taiwan Taoyuan became a hub for stranded passengers, many of whom were left without clear information regarding their rescheduled flights. International passengers attempting to reach destinations outside of Taiwan were particularly impacted, with many left waiting for hours or even days.

Typhoon Ragasa’s Widespread Effects on Regional Air Travel

The storm’s effects were felt beyond just the major airports in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Other regional airports also faced significant disruptions, with cancellations and delays impacting travelers throughout the area. Shenzhen Airlines and Spring Airlines both reported delays at multiple airports, further compounding the strain on the region’s air traffic.

In Hong Kong, several international carriers, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines, were forced to cancel flights due to the typhoon. Emirates had to cancel several international flights, and United Airlines also faced disruption, with 5 cancellations (62%) and 2 delays (25%). Philippine Air Lines and Air New Zealand were also impacted by the storm’s force, each reporting cancellations and delays on routes bound for Hong Kong.

Airports in Taiwan saw a mix of international and domestic flight cancellations. Airlines like Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and All Nippon Airways were forced to alter or cancel flights, stranding thousands of travelers across the region.

Airlines’ Efforts to Assist Passengers

In response to the crisis, airlines like Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, and EVA Air worked tirelessly to rebook flights and provide alternative arrangements for passengers. Many travelers were offered free hotel accommodations or meal vouchers while waiting for their rescheduled flights. However, the scale of the disruption meant that many passengers faced long delays in receiving assistance, with some being left stranded for days.

Looking Ahead: What Travelers Can Expect

As Typhoon Ragasa moves away, the recovery process will take time. Airports and airlines are working to clear the backlog of canceled and delayed flights, but travelers should expect continued disruptions in the coming days. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates and flight status information.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Ragasa, airlines are likely to implement enhanced procedures for handling weather-related disruptions. This may include better communication tools, more efficient rebooking systems, and improved customer service to help travelers navigate future crises.

Typhoon Ragasa’s unprecedented impact on air travel has left a lasting impression on travelers and the aviation industry in Asia. With over 1400 flights canceled and thousands of travelers stranded, the storm’s reach was felt across major airports in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taiwan Taoyuan, Taipei, and Hong Kong. Airlines like China Eastern, Air China, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, and others were among the hardest hit, causing widespread disruptions and delays.

While the situation was dire for many travelers, the efforts of airlines and airport authorities to assist passengers have provided some relief. However, the storm’s devastating impact on the region’s air travel infrastructure will continue to affect the travel landscape for days to come. Travelers are urged to remain patient, stay informed, and follow official airline and airport channels for the latest updates.

Typhoon Ragasa has resulted in the cancellation of more than 1,400 flights and left countless passengers adrift in key airports across China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Among the affected carriers, China Eastern, Air China, and Cathay Pacific have taken the lead in grounding services; their moves, although necessary, have brought primary terminal operations to a virtual standstill under the storm’s punishing winds and torrential rain.

As the recovery efforts continue, it is hoped that Typhoon Ragasa will serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of global air travel to natural disasters, and the need for ongoing improvements in crisis management within the aviation industry.