Singapore, AirAsia, Air China, Delta, Cathay Pacific, EVA, Japan, Malaysia, Turkish and More Suffer as Taiwan Faces Around 300 Flight Cancellations and Delays at Taoyuan, Songshan, Kaohsiung, Makung, and Kinmen Due to Storm Danas

Published on July 6, 2025

Tropical Storm Danas severely disrupted Taiwan’s aviation network, forcing around 300 flight cancellations and delays across Taoyuan, Songshan, Kaohsiung, Makung, and Kinmen airports due to hazardous weather conditions including torrential rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorm alerts. As a result, leading global carriers such as Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Air China, Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and others were compelled to cancel or reschedule dozens of flights to safeguard passengers and crews. With southern hubs like Kaohsiung bearing the brunt of the storm and domestic routes to outlying islands completely suspended, Taiwan’s aviation infrastructure temporarily collapsed under the pressure of the extreme weather system, impacting both regional and long-haul operations across Asia and beyond.

Taiwan’s air travel network plunged into crisis as Tropical Storm Danas swept across the island, forcing airlines to cancel and delay nearly 300 flights over the weekend. The storm triggered torrential rainfall, high winds, and dangerous airport conditions, particularly in the south and east, with Kaohsiung and Taitung facing the brunt of the weather.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a land typhoon warning late Saturday night. In response, airlines grounded operations and rescheduled services, prioritizing passenger safety. International giants such as Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Air China, Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, alongside domestic carriers, suffered major disruptions.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

As Taiwan’s primary international hub, Taoyuan witnessed heavy delays and some cancellations due to the widespread ripple effects from southern Taiwan and international flight adjustments.

• Total Delays: 135
• Total Cancellations: 4

Affected Airlines:

• China Airlines: 31 delays
• EVA Air: 38 delays
• Cathay Pacific: 6 delays
• Air China: 3 delays
• China Eastern: 2 delays, 4 cancellations
• Air Macau: 3 delays
• Philippines AirAsia: 1 delay
• Peach Aviation: 1 delay
• AirAsia: 1 delay
• Shandong Airlines: 1 delay
• Cebu Pacific Air: 1 delay
• China Southern Airlines: 2 delays
• Shenzhen Airlines: 3 delays
• XiamenAir: 4 delays
• Delta Air Lines: 1 delay
• Eastarjet: 1 delay
• Hong Kong Express Airways: 1 delay
• Japan Airlines: 1 delay
• Jeju Air: 1 delay
• Malaysia Airlines: 2 delays
• Malindo Air: 1 delay
• Philippine Air Lines: 1 delay
• Singapore Airlines: 2 delays
• Starlux Airlines: 10 delays
• Scoot: 1 delay
• Turkish Airlines: 1 delay
• Thai Lion Air: 2 delays
• Tigerair Taiwan: 5 delays
• Thai Vietjet Air: 1 delay
• VietJet Air: 3 delays
• AirAsia X: 1 delay
• Asiana Airlines: 1 delay

Taipei Songshan Airport

Located in the heart of Taipei, Songshan faced serious cancellations on domestic routes, primarily due to weather-influenced closures of outlying island airports.

• Total Delays: 1
• Total Cancellations: 29

Affected Airlines:

• Mandarin Airlines: 10 cancellations
• UNI Air: 10 cancellations
• EVA Air: 9 cancellations
• China Airlines: 1 delay

Kaohsiung International Airport

Kaohsiung bore the most direct impact from Storm Danas, prompting mass cancellations, particularly among international services to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, and Southeast Asia.

• Total Delays: 15
• Total Cancellations: 30

Affected Airlines:

• UNI Air: 11 cancellations
• Mandarin Airlines: 8 cancellations
• EVA Air: 4 delays, 6 cancellations
• Cathay Pacific: 2 delays, 2 cancellations
• China Airlines: 2 delays, 1 cancellation
• Tigerair Taiwan: 1 cancellation
• Hong Kong Express Airways: 1 delay, 1 cancellation
• Air Macau: 2 delays
• Peach Aviation: 2 delays

Key China Airlines cancellations:

• Kaohsiung–Tokyo Narita
• Kaohsiung–Bangkok
• Kaohsiung–Osaka
• Kaohsiung–Okinawa
• Kaohsiung–Shanghai Pudong
• Kaohsiung–Hong Kong
• Inbound flights from Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Narita were postponed to July 7

Tigerair Taiwan schedule changes and cancellations:

• Early departures to Okinawa, Macau, Tokyo
• Cancellations on Kaohsiung–Gimpo, Kaohsiung–Fukuoka, Kaohsiung–Tokyo, Kaohsiung–Da Nang

Makung Airport (Penghu)

Makung, located on the Penghu Islands, faced the highest number of domestic cancellations, driven by sea-level winds and limited runway tolerance during the storm.

• Total Delays: 0
• Total Cancellations: 39

Affected Airlines:

• Mandarin Airlines: 19 cancellations
• UNI Air: 17 cancellations
• EVA Air: 3 cancellations

Kinmen Airport

Kinmen Airport, linking Taiwan proper with its offshore island near mainland China, also saw all flights grounded.

• Total Delays: 0
• Total Cancellations: 19

Affected Airlines:

• UNI Air: 7 cancellations
• EVA Air: 6 cancellations
• Mandarin Airlines: 6 cancellations

Taiwan Airport Disruption Summary Due to Storm Danas

Airlines Face Mounting Operational Pressures

Airlines operating in and out of Taiwan faced a logistical nightmare. From shifting crews and rerouting aircraft to accommodating stranded passengers, the effects of the storm rippled far beyond Taiwanese borders. Ground handling, customer service, and airport coordination efforts faced immense pressure throughout the day.

Among the most impacted:

• Singapore Airlines delayed 50% of its services at Taoyuan
• AirAsia and its subsidiaries faced delays across multiple regional sectors
• Air China, Cathay Pacific, Delta, and Malaysia Airlines struggled with delay-prone flights
• EVA Air had a high delay count across Taoyuan, Songshan, and Kaohsiung
• Starlux Airlines reported 10 delays from its growing route network
• China Airlines not only canceled international services but also pushed key inbound flights to July 7
• Mandarin Airlines and UNI Air canceled all domestic services to Kinmen, Penghu, and Matsu

Most Affected Airlines by Total Disruptions (Delays + Cancellations)

Top 5 Most Affected Airlines Overall (by total disruptions):

1. EVA Air – 60 disruptions
2. UNI Air – 45 disruptions
3. Mandarin Airlines – 43 disruptions
4. China Airlines – 36 disruptions
5. Cathay Pacific – 10 disruptions

National Response and Passenger Fallout

The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) responded swiftly, coordinating updates and requiring airlines to submit real-time status changes. Emergency meetings were held Saturday evening and again Sunday morning. Carriers were instructed to prioritize safety and facilitate rebooking options for affected passengers.

Meanwhile, hotels near airports filled up as stranded travelers scrambled for accommodations. Many foreign travelers on inbound flights had to alter connection plans or faced unexpected layovers. The storm also impacted tourism flows, cargo deliveries, and aviation maintenance schedules across the island.

Tropical Storm Danas forced around 300 flight cancellations and delays across Taiwan’s major airports, severely impacting operations for airlines like Singapore, AirAsia, Air China, Delta, Cathay Pacific, EVA, Japan, Malaysia, Turkish, and more due to dangerous winds, heavy rain, and widespread weather alerts.

As Taiwan continues to recover from the fallout of Storm Danas, its airspace remains a case study in rapid aviation crisis management. With over 120 flight cancellations and more than 150 delays, the storm exposed the fragility of cross-strait and regional air connectivity during severe weather.

From global aviation giants like Singapore, AirAsia, Air China, Delta, Cathay Pacific, EVA, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Turkish Airlines to regional players like UNI Air, Mandarin, and Tigerair, no carrier escaped unscathed. Taiwan’s five key airports—Taoyuan, Songshan, Kaohsiung, Makung, and Kinmen—saw widespread disruption that could take days to normalize.

As the weather clears, efforts are now underway to restore flight schedules, assist passengers, and evaluate the long-term impact of another powerful storm season in East Asia.