Passenger Left in Turmoil as Thousands Across Asia Face 197 Flight Cancellations and 1863 Delays with China Eastern, Air China, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, and Others in China, India, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Beyond

Published on December 18, 2025

From Beijing to Tokyo, Delhi to Singapore, millions of travellers are facing unexpected turbulence on the ground as a sweeping wave of flight cancellations and delays hits major Asian airports. Across the region, carriers — including China’s domestic giants, India’s busiest airline, and key Japanese hubs — are struggling with an unprecedented confluence of weather challenges, regulatory changes, and operational constraints that have left passengers stranded and governments issuing travel advisories.

At the heart of the disruption are thousands of delays and hundreds of cancellations, with data showing broad impacts from China Eastern, Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Air India, IndiGo and other carriers operating across Asia. Latest compiled aviation tracking figures show Asia‑wide delays numbering in the thousands and cancellations affecting routes connecting China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia.

Air China Cancelled flights

Severe Weather and Operational Challenges Shake Asian Airports

Meteorological conditions have played a significant role in grounding planes and forcing airlines to restructure flight schedules. Dense fog at Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) disrupted morning operations, leading to multiple delayed departures and advising travellers to check status before travel.

Similarly, widespread weather chaos across China, Japan and Southeast Asia has been reported, with regional airports such as Beijing Capital, Tokyo Haneda, Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok), Jakarta Soekarno‑Hatta, and Singapore Changi experiencing a mix of cancellations and delays that have reverberated throughout domestic and international networks. This has compounded regular operational pressures, putting stress on airline crews, ground staff and airport services.

Cancelled Sichuan Airlines

China: Heavy Delays and Cancellations Across Major Hubs

China’s airlines have been notably affected. Our compiled tables show multiple cancellations across carriers including China Eastern, Air China, Hainan Airlines, Chengdu Airlines and China Express. These disruptions occurred at key origin and destination airports — such as Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, Chengdu Tianfu, Xiamen and Shenzhen — pushing travellers into extended waits. Government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) emphasise safety first, urging travellers to check status via official airline and airport apps as extreme weather conditions force schedule adjustments.

Cancelled Shenzhen Airlines

India’s Aviation Sector Faces Scrutiny and Regulatory Pressure

In India, the situation underscores deeper operational issues in the aviation sector. The nation’s largest carrier, IndiGo, has reported widespread cancellations with estimates reaching into the thousands in December alone — a disruption that has prompted regulatory scrutiny.

Regulators have served notices to airline leadership and warned of strict action for failure to comply with crew rest and duty regulations, which has been identified as a core reason for the breakdown in scheduling. This regulatory intervention, along with weather‑related disruptions, has greatly affected passenger confidence and travel planning during the peak holiday season.

Japan’s Major Airports Experience Operational Bottlenecks

Across Japan, travel hubs such as Osaka, Tokyo and New Chitose airports have recorded clustered delays and cancellations. At Tokyo Haneda, airlines like Japan Airlines and ANA Wings reported dozens of late departures and scrapped schedules, while All Nippon Airways faced significant delays across its network. These operational bottlenecks deeply affect both domestic travellers and international connections — especially those bound for destinations in North America, Europe and other parts of Asia — adding complexity to already challenging travel plans.

Southeast Asia and Pacific Routes Also Under Pressure

Delays ripple through Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore, and carriers such as Thai Airways, Batik Air, Singapore Airlines and Cebu Pacific recorded significant schedule disruptions. Airports in these regions, while managing delays, have largely avoided mass cancellations — instead focusing on managing backlog and keeping travellers informed through official airport and airline channels. Region‑level aviation performance reports also highlight that cancellation rates in Southeast Asia have risen sharply, with the Asia‑Pacific market’s overall cancellation surge impacting performance indices through October and November 2025.

Passenger Experience and Government Advisory Guidance

Travellers caught in this cross‑continental disruption are being advised to regularly check official airline and government travel advisory sites for the latest updates. Civil aviation authorities in China, India and Japan maintain online resources detailing passenger rights, rebooking policies and weather‑related travel advisories — with safety and customer service remaining principal priorities.

Passengers are reminded that refunds, alternate flights and reissuance options are standard provisions in case of severe schedule changes, and airports often provide real‑time dashboards to track departure and arrival changes.

Closing Reality: Travel Resilience Tested But Not Broken in Asia

For many travellers, the past week has been an exercise in patience and adaptability. Families heading to reunions, business travellers rushing to meetings, and tourists hoping to explore iconic Asian destinations have all felt the impact of delayed or cancelled flights. Yet, amid the frustration and disappointment, there has been a consistent message from aviation authorities and airlines: safety and clear communication come first, even if travel plans must adjust.

As Asia’s skies continue to adjust to the combined pressures of weather extremes, regulatory changes, and operational limits, travellers are encouraged to plan flexibly, check official advisories, and make use of airline support channels. The resilience of the region’s aviation system and its ability to rebound from disruptions will be crucial throughout the winter season and beyond.