Singapore & Indonesia Hits Hard as Jetstar and Malaysia Airlines Cancel 10 Flights and Delay 229 — Major Travel Chaos Strikes with Thousands of Passengers Affected

Published on December 7, 2025

Passengers travelling to or via Singapore and Indonesia — brace yourselves. Over the weekend, a wave of flight cancellations by Jetstar and Malaysia Airlines triggered chaos for travellers across Southeast Asia and beyond. The disruption left many stranded, forced to rebook or scramble for refunds.

What happened: flights cancelled, schedules upended

According to publicly available cancellation lists, Jetstar axed more than a dozen flights on Saturday and Sunday — covering origins from Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle and Singapore, destined for Singapore, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney. Routes affected include Melbourne ↔ Singapore (via Changi), Sydney ↔ Melbourne, Brisbane ↔ Sydney, and more.

In parallel, Malaysia Airlines cancelled flight MAS122, which was meant to depart from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur.

The result: dozens of travellers with plans to fly in or out of Singapore — and many connecting onwards to Indonesia and Malaysia — are now facing major disruptions.

Why the cancellations occurred — a global A320 recall

The root cause ties to a global safety directive issued by Airbus. Following a serious safety incident in North America involving an A320‑family aircraft (where an in‑flight control‑computer fault caused an uncommanded altitude drop), Airbus ordered a rollback of a recent software upgrade applied across roughly 6,000 A320 jets worldwide.

As the largest operator of A320s, Jetstar was among the hardest hit — grounding dozens of aircraft to install the fix. The repairs required 2–3 hours per plane, forcing Jetstar to cancel 90 flights just on Saturday alone.

Malaysia Airlines, which also operates A320/A330‑family jets, was not spared. The ripple effect disrupted its international Sydney–Kuala Lumpur service among others.

Why Southeast Asian travellers suffer most

The cancellations strike at a sensitive moment. Singapore serves as a major travel hub for travellers to and from Indonesia, Malaysia and across Southeast Asia. Disruptions at Changi — or outbound from Australia — cascade quickly across the region.

Moreover, many travellers rely on tight transit schedules. With limited flight availability post‑cancellation, rebooking becomes a scramble. Hotels, onward bookings in Indonesia or Malaysia, and other travel plans now hang in limbo.

What airlines are doing — and falling short

Jetstar has offered passengers the option to obtain full refunds or rebook within seven days free of charge. But given high demand, seat availability remains extremely limited.

Malaysia Airlines has been less forthcoming — few passengers report receiving timely communication or adequate support. The airline’s cancellation of MAS122 left travellers in limbo, especially those with connecting flights into Southeast Asia.

Regional aviation authorities — including in Singapore — are asking affected travellers to use official “flight disruption statement” forms to document delays and cancellations if refunds or compensation become necessary.

What the region’s governments say

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore) (MFA) maintains a regularly updated portal of travel advisories, visa and immigration guidelines. Travellers to Singapore should consult MFA’s portals to check entry requirements and any ongoing travel notices.

Meanwhile, the official Jetstar Airways travel‑alerts page recommends Singapore‑bound travellers complete the mandatory online arrival form, the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC), in advance — even if travel plans are uncertain.

For travel to Indonesia, the airline continues to highlight compliance with Indonesian health‑declaration requirements, such as the SATUSEHAT Health Pass (SSHP), mandated since August 2024 to prevent spread of infectious diseases.

The advice: travellers who had booked flights with Jetstar or Malaysia Airlines should verify their booking status via airline portals — and ideally postpone travel until the situation stabilises.

Travellers speak — frustration and confusion

Stories of disrupted plans abound. Some passengers say they received cancel‑notifications but no help. Others mention long waits on hotlines. With the closure of alternate low‑cost carriers like Jetstar Asia earlier this year, options are limited.

One traveler described the moment his flight to Singapore vanished from the schedule, forcing him to rebook, incur extra costs, and abandon connections to Indonesia. Others face missed hotel stays and ruined itineraries.

What passengers should do now — pragmatic steps

• Check flight status: Use official airline website or trusted trackers — don’t rely on third‑party sources only.
• Request official documentation: If your flight is cancelled or delayed, file for a “flight disruption statement.” This helps with insurance claims, refund claims or travel compensation.
• Prioritise flexibility: If possible, delay travel until airlines complete the required software fixes. Or consider alternate airlines (subject to availability) — but be prepared for higher fares and limited seat availability.
• Prepare for arrival requirements: For destinations like Singapore and Indonesia — ensure you complete SGAC or SSHP forms (if relevant) to avoid immigration hiccups.

Final word — a harsh reminder that global aviation troubles ripple far

For many travellers, what began as a routine flight booking turned into a weekend of uncertainty. Families heading to their loved ones, holiday‑goers chasing year‑end getaway plans, business travellers — all caught off‑guard.

For those in Indonesia, Singapore or Malaysia, the disruption underscores a tough lesson: in a tightly interconnected Southeast Asia aviation network, issues affecting one airline or one continent can echo across the region — at great cost to regular people’s travel plans.

If you have a cancelled booking with Jetstar or Malaysia Airlines, act fast. Seek refunds or alternatives now — and brace for turbulence even before you board.