Over 60 Flights Cancelled and 330 Delayed by Hainan, Shandong, and China Southern Airlines Due to Severe Weather: Passengers Stranded, and Key Routes Disrupted in China, Urumqi, Zhengzhou, and More – Full Details on Affected Routes and Airports

Published on December 12, 2025

Severe weather disruptions have once again wreaked havoc on air travel in Asia, particularly for major Chinese carriers Hainan Airlines, Shandong Airlines, and China Southern Airlines. In recent days, over 60 flights have been cancelled across various routes, causing significant inconvenience for travelers. The cancellations, primarily due to weather-related issues, have affected multiple major airports and cities across China. Passengers have been left stranded at airports, while others have faced delays in their journeys, impacting tourism and business activities alike.

The three airlines, each operating extensive domestic networks across China, have seen their operations severely disrupted by adverse weather conditions, which have led to widespread cancellations, affecting various regions, including Urumqi, Zhengzhou, Beijing, and more.

This article delves into the flight cancellations, the impact on passengers, affected routes, and tourism, offering a comprehensive look at the consequences of such disruptions and how the industry might bounce back from them.

Flight Cancellations Overview

Based on data from Hainan Airlines, Shandong Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, the total number of cancellations is significant. These cancellations were primarily driven by weather conditions that hindered the airlines’ ability to operate safely. Many of the affected flights were scheduled to depart from major hubs such as Zhengzhou Xinzheng International, Urumqi Diwopu International, and others, with weather-related conditions cited as the primary reason for these cancellations.

• Hainan Airlines: The airline cancelled multiple flights on its domestic routes, including those from Urumqi to Zhengzhou and other major cities.
• Shandong Airlines: With weather disruptions, numerous flights from cities like Xiamen, Zhengzhou, and Beijing were cancelled, leaving passengers stranded.
• China Southern Airlines: A major player in China’s domestic aviation market, China Southern saw widespread cancellations from airports like Zhuhai, Ulanqab, and Zhengzhou, greatly affecting passengers.

Passengers in Peril: The Lingering Consequences of Widespread Flight Disruptions

For the affected passengers, the cancellations caused significant disruption, with many facing delays and, in some cases, being stranded overnight at airports. These disruptions were compounded by crowded terminals, limited availability of alternative flights, and a lack of clear communication from airlines regarding the resumption of services. Some passengers, especially those traveling for business or tourism, have experienced considerable inconvenience, as their travel schedules were delayed by several hours or even days. Many have had to seek alternative transport options, including taking buses or trains to their destinations.

Passenger Impact:

• Stranded Passengers: Due to the flight cancellations, hundreds of passengers were left stranded at major airports across China, including Urumqi, Zhengzhou, and Beijing.
• Lack of Alternatives: In some cases, passengers were unable to get alternative flights quickly due to the high volume of cancellations and limited flight availability.
• Emotional and Financial Stress: With delays extending into the night or the following days, many passengers experienced emotional and financial strain, particularly those with tight schedules or important commitments.

Key Airports Affected

The following major airports were significantly impacted by the cancellations from these three airlines. These airports are important hubs for domestic and international flights and saw many departures delayed or cancelled:

1. Hainan Airlines:
   • Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC): As a central hub for Hainan Airlines, many flights originating from or heading to Urumqi were cancelled due to bad weather.
   • Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO): Several flights were grounded at Zhengzhou, a critical airport for domestic air traffic in China.

Shandong Airlines:

• Zhuhai International Airport (ZUH): Zhuhai was one of the most affected airports for Shandong Airlines, with multiple cancellations from this city.
• Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN): Xiamen also saw multiple cancellations, particularly those flying to smaller destinations like Shiyan Wudangshan.

China Southern Airlines:

• Zhuhai International Airport (ZUH): This airport saw several cancellations from China Southern Airlines due to weather disruptions.
• Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO): Zhengzhou remained one of the most affected airports for all three airlines, especially for flights departing to and from regional airports.
• Ulanqab (UCB): This relatively smaller airport was significantly affected, especially for flights to major hubs like Zhengzhou.

Key Areas Affected by the Cancellations

The following key areas were most affected due to the cancellations. These regions include major travel and business hubs in China, which are also significant for tourism:

1. Hainan Airlines:
   • Urumqi (URC): A critical hub in China’s northwest, Urumqi was significantly impacted due to cancellations and delays affecting the region’s connectivity.
   • Zhengzhou (CGO): The central city of Zhengzhou, a major transportation node, saw multiple flights cancelled, impacting travelers headed to or from this region.
2. Shandong Airlines:
   • Xiamen (XMN): A popular coastal city, Xiamen experienced cancellations, especially affecting flights to smaller regional destinations.
   • Beijing (PEK): As the capital city, Beijing’s major international airport was affected, with flights being grounded due to weather disruptions.
3. China Southern Airlines:
   • Zhuhai (ZUH): A significant gateway to southern China, Zhuhai’s airport saw major flight cancellations, leaving many travelers stranded.
   • Zhengzhou (CGO): Central China’s Zhengzhou was heavily impacted, with both international and domestic connections affected.

Affected Routes

Hainan Airlines:

• Urumqi to Zhengzhou: This route was heavily impacted with multiple cancellations due to weather, affecting passengers traveling between two major industrial cities.
• Zhengzhou to Shenyang: A key route connecting central China to the northeast, this was another affected route for Hainan Airlines.

Shandong Airlines:

• Zhuhai to Zhengzhou: Several cancellations were reported on this key route, affecting business and leisure travelers between southern and central China.
• Xiamen to Shiyan: A relatively short regional route that was affected by weather, leading to disruptions for those traveling for business or tourism.

China Southern Airlines:

• Zhuhai to Beijing: This important route was significantly impacted by the weather, affecting the flow of passengers between two major cities.
• Zhengzhou to Ulanqab: Affected by weather conditions, this route experienced cancellations, severely impacting regional travel.

Passenger Struggles: The Harsh Reality of Flight Cancellations

The cancellations have had a significant impact on local tourism in the affected regions. Many tourists traveling for vacations or business purposes were unable to reach their destinations on time, leading to disrupted travel plans and delayed bookings. The affected airports, such as Urumqi, Zhengzhou, and Xiamen, are popular gateways for tourists heading to major destinations in China. With flight cancellations, hotels, transportation services, and local tour operators in these areas have faced challenges in accommodating unexpected changes.

Tourism Recovery Tips:

• Alternative Travel Options: Passengers are encouraged to look for alternative travel methods such as trains or buses to reach their destinations.
• Flexibility in Bookings: It is advised to keep travel plans flexible, especially during the unpredictable weather months.

Positive Takeaways: How the Tourism Industry Can Recover

Despite the setbacks caused by flight cancellations, there are ways the industry can bounce back. Improved communication from airlines, proactive weather forecasting, and better customer service can help mitigate the effects of such disruptions. Additionally, better infrastructure at airports and quicker recovery strategies can enable the tourism industry to remain resilient during adverse weather events.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for the Aviation Industry

The aviation industry, especially in Asia, continues to face challenges related to weather disruptions. However, with stronger communication strategies, technological advancements, and customer-focused policies, airlines can reduce the impacts of cancellations and delays. The key to recovery lies in creating more efficient, flexible systems that put passengers’ needs at the forefront, ensuring smoother travel experiences even in the face of adversity.