Severe Weather Forces 40 Flight Cancellations by Air China and China Eastern Airlines, Stranding Passengers Across Major Chinese Cities Including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Chengdu – Details Of Cancelled Flights Inside

Published on December 9, 2025

The aviation industry has witnessed yet another wave of flight cancellations, as both Air China and China Eastern Airlines have been forced to cancel a significant number of flights due to unforeseen bad weather. These cancellations have disrupted travel plans for hundreds of passengers, creating a ripple effect on local tourism and economic activities across major cities in China and surrounding regions. This article delves into the flight cancellations caused by weather disturbances, highlighting the impact on passengers, tourism, and the affected airports.

Flight Cancellations Overview

Air China and China Eastern Airlines have been heavily impacted by weather-related disruptions. Both airlines have seen a substantial number of cancellations due to unforeseen weather patterns, such as severe storms, fog, and poor visibility, leading to the grounding of flights from several major airports.

According to recent data, Air China and China Eastern Airlines together canceled a total of 40 flights over the past few days. These cancellations span multiple cities within China, including Shanghai, Chongqing, Beijing, and Xi’an. The disruptions are primarily due to adverse weather conditions like thunderstorms, heavy rain, and fog, making it difficult for aircraft to operate safely.

Number of Cancellations:

• Air China: 20 Cancellations
• China Eastern Airlines: 20 Cancellations

These cancellations are a testament to the challenges faced by airlines when dealing with uncontrollable weather events.

Affected Airports and Regions

Air China

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK / ZBAA): Beijing’s major international gateway saw several cancellations affecting both domestic and international routes. Passengers from Shanghai, Chengdu, and Haikou were among those impacted.
• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA / ZSSS): Flights from Shanghai to Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guiyang were heavily affected by the bad weather.
• Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU / ZUUU): Cancellations of flights from Chengdu to Beijing and Shanghai affected thousands of passengers.

China Eastern Airlines

• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA / ZSSS): As one of the busiest airports in China, Shanghai’s weather disruptions led to the cancellation of flights to Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guiyang.
• Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX / ZBAD): This new hub was not immune to the weather delays, with cancellations to Shanghai and Guiyang affecting many travelers.
• Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY / ZLXY): Affected flights from Xi’an to Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chengdu were grounded due to weather conditions.

Key Affected Routes and Cities

Air China

1. Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Xi’an Xianyang (XIY): Cancellations on this route, which connects two of China’s major cities, disrupted the travel plans of many passengers.
2. Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU): Flights on this popular route were grounded due to poor weather, leaving travelers stranded.
3. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Beijing Capital (PEK): Several cancellations occurred on this vital route, disrupting business and leisure travel alike.
4. Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) to Beijing Capital (PEK): This route was also severely impacted, with several flights canceled due to the stormy weather.
5. Tianjin Binhai (TSN) to Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU): This domestic flight was grounded, causing delays and disruptions for passengers heading to the Sichuan capital.

China Eastern Airlines

1. Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Xi’an Xianyang (XIY): Cancellations on this route severely impacted travelers, including many on business and family trips.
2. Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU): A highly popular route, especially for business travelers, saw several cancellations due to visibility issues.
3. Guilin Liangjiang (KWL) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG): Weather conditions grounded flights from the scenic city of Guilin to Shanghai, causing inconvenience to both business and tourism passengers.
4. Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG) to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA): Passengers traveling from Chongqing to Shanghai faced significant delays due to stormy conditions.
5. Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) to Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH): Flights from Xi’an to Hangzhou were canceled, affecting the influx of tourists heading to the scenic region of Zhejiang.

Passengers Left Stranded: Weather Chaos Unfolds

The recent wave of flight cancellations due to severe weather has left thousands of travelers in limbo as Air China and China Eastern Airlines scramble to manage the fallout. Passengers across multiple routes have faced significant disruptions, with canceled flights leading to missed connections, lost vacations, and altered travel plans. For those traveling for business, this has meant missed meetings, while leisure travelers are left dealing with the heartbreak of postponed vacations.

The cancellations have had a ripple effect on travelers’ itineraries, with many forced to rebook flights or find alternative routes, resulting in added costs and confusion. Business travelers, in particular, are suffering the consequences of disrupted schedules, while tourists are faced with the frustration of delays, missed connections, and a disrupted sense of holiday adventure.

The Ripple Effect: Local Tourism Struggles Amid Flight Cancellations

China’s tourism sector has also felt the sharp sting of these cancellations. Cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, and Chengdu, which are vital hubs for domestic and international tourism, have witnessed a noticeable drop in both incoming and outgoing tourist traffic. These cities depend heavily on the flow of both leisure and business visitors, and when flights are grounded, the tourism infrastructure—hotels, restaurants, local attractions—suffers.

Take Xi’an, for instance, home to the world-renowned Terracotta Army. The cancellations have significantly impacted the number of international visitors to this historical site. Similarly, Shanghai, a global business and leisure hub, has seen its tourism market suffer, especially with the ongoing holiday season that usually attracts significant traffic.

Tour operators, hotels, and local businesses are struggling as they are faced with a surge in demand from stranded passengers, while the number of incoming tourists continues to dwindle. For the local economy, this presents a dual challenge—accommodating the unexpected influx of stranded passengers, while simultaneously experiencing a sharp drop in the number of tourists arriving for planned vacations.

What Every Affected Traveler Needs to Know: A Call to Action

For passengers impacted by these cancellations, the first step is staying informed. Airlines are responsible for notifying passengers of any cancellations or delays and should provide timely updates on new flight schedules, rerouting, and possible compensation options. Here’s what you should do if you find yourself affected:

1. Stay in Communication: Regularly check for updates from your airline regarding flight status. You should also stay connected with the airport’s customer service team to get real-time information on alternatives and available routes.
2. Reroute and Rebook: Airlines may offer alternative flights or rebook options, often at no extra cost, but it’s essential to act quickly to secure the next available seat.
3. Know Your Rights: If your flight is canceled, airlines are generally required to offer compensation, which may include meal vouchers, hotel stays, and reimbursement for any additional expenses incurred. Always inquire about your options.
4. Consider Travel Insurance: If you’re facing a significant delay or cancellation, travel insurance can help you recover the costs for hotels, meals, and alternative transportation. Review your policy for coverage details and speak with the insurance provider to check your options.
5. Stay Calm and Flexible: Although it’s easy to get frustrated, maintaining a calm demeanor will help you handle the situation more effectively. Be flexible with your travel plans and remain patient as airlines work to manage the backlog of affected passengers.

Weather Disruptions: Understanding the Causes of Cancellations

The cancellations are a result of severe weather disturbances—such as thunderstorms, heavy rain, and fog—making it impossible for aircraft to operate safely. These conditions are further compounded by the crowded airspace and airport congestion, making it difficult to get flights back on track quickly. Weather events, including sudden shifts in wind patterns or unexpected low visibility, can cause delays in takeoffs and landings, which lead to cascading delays and eventual flight cancellations.

How the Tourism Sector Can Emerge Stronger

While the aviation industry has faced another setback, it also offers a learning opportunity. The global travel sector has become increasingly resilient, especially in the face of disruptions like those caused by severe weather. The lessons learned from these events will help improve passenger experience moving forward.

Airlines and tourism authorities are working to enhance communication systems, ensuring that passengers are better informed and supported. More robust infrastructure, such as real-time weather tracking systems, more flexible rebooking options, and improved customer service training, can make future disruptions more manageable.

For tourism providers in China, it’s essential to adopt strategies that can cushion the effects of these disruptions, such as diversifying tourism offerings to accommodate shifting traveler preferences or boosting the use of digital platforms to offer alternative services. Moving forward, the industry will be better equipped to handle weather-related disruptions and minimize the impact on travelers.

In Summary: Adaptation is Key to Overcoming Challenges

While flight cancellations due to bad weather have created significant challenges for travelers and the tourism industry alike, this situation presents an opportunity for growth. The resilience of both the aviation and tourism sectors will ultimately shine through as these industries learn to adapt to increasingly frequent weather disruptions. In the end, the ability to bounce back swiftly and improve services in the face of adversity will define the future of travel in China.