Thousands of Passengers in Turmoil Across Asia as Hainan, Shenzhen, Tianjin, All Nippon, Hokkaido, Tibet, and Other Airlines Suffer 180 Cancellations and 1,088 Delays, Creating Chaos in Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka, Tokyo, Lhasa, and Beyond

Published on December 12, 2025

Thousands of passengers across Asia are facing significant travel disruptions as multiple airlines—including Air China, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Jetstar Japan, Mandarin Airlines, Hokkaido Air System, and Tibet Airlines—suffer over 180 cancellations and 1,088 delays. Major cities and airports including Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka, Tokyo, Lhasa, and others have been severely affected. With travelers stranded at airports and flights canceled or delayed, many passengers are facing frustration and confusion as they try to rebook their journeys.

Overview of Cancellations and Delays

The ongoing flight disruptions have had a massive impact on travelers across Asia, with over 180 flights cancelled and more than 1,088 delays affecting both domestic and international routes. The affected airlines and their corresponding flight statuses are outlined below, highlighting the major destinations and travel hubs that have been hit the hardest.

Major Affected Airports Analysis

The widespread disruptions have affected several major airports across Asia, resulting in long lines and delays. Airports like Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), and Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) have seen the most significant impact, with passengers left stranded or rerouted.

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern were among the airlines most affected, causing major delays and cancellations to both international and domestic flights.
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG): The disruptions were especially severe, with delays caused by China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, and Air China.
• Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT): Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways saw substantial delays, impacting numerous long-haul flights.
• Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX): Jetstar Japan and Mandarin Airlines were among the carriers facing cancellations, particularly on domestic routes.

Airline-Specific Analysis

Let’s take a closer look at each airline’s impact, including a list of their cancelled flights:

Air China: 20 Cancellations and 220 Delays

Air China is one of the most affected airlines, with 20 cancellations and a staggering 220 delayed flights. The disruptions have particularly affected flights departing from Beijing and Shanghai, causing widespread chaos for travelers.

Major Cancelled Flights by Air China:

• Beijing to Shanghai
• Beijing to Tokyo
• Beijing to Hong Kong
• Shanghai to Guangzhou
• Beijing to Lhasa

China Eastern: 20 Cancellations and 181 Delays

China Eastern has also reported significant disruptions, with 20 flights cancelled and 181 delayed. Major international and domestic routes have been affected, with travelers facing rebooking difficulties and long wait times at airports.

Major Cancelled Flights by China Eastern:

• Shanghai to New York
• Shanghai to Sydney
• Beijing to Wuhan
• Guangzhou to Hong Kong

Hainan Airlines: 20 Cancellations and 76 Delays

Hainan Airlines has seen 20 cancellations and 76 delays, disrupting international flights particularly to Europe and North America. The airline is working to accommodate affected passengers, but delays are expected to continue.

Major Cancelled Flights by Hainan Airlines:

• Beijing to London
• Shanghai to Paris
• Beijing to Sydney
• Guangzhou to Los Angeles

China Southern: 20 Cancellations and 161 Delays

China Southern has faced its share of travel disruptions, with 20 cancellations and 161 delayed flights, affecting both regional and international routes.

Major Cancelled Flights by China Southern:

• Guangzhou to Tokyo
• Guangzhou to Beijing
• Shanghai to Singapore
• Beijing to Shenzhen

Shenzhen Airlines: 20 Cancellations and 81 Delays

Shenzhen Airlines, operating primarily domestic flights, has also been hit hard with 20 cancellations and 81 delays, leaving passengers stranded, particularly on flights within China.

Major Cancelled Flights by Shenzhen Airlines:

• Shenzhen to Guangzhou
• Shenzhen to Shanghai
• Guangzhou to Hong Kong

Tianjin Airlines: 20 Cancellations and 61 Delays

Tianjin Airlines, a regional carrier, has had 20 cancellations and 61 delays, primarily affecting domestic routes to Beijing, Xi’an, and Harbin.

Major Cancelled Flights by Tianjin Airlines:

• Tianjin to Beijing
• Tianjin to Xi’an
• Tianjin to Harbin

Japan Airlines: 20 Cancellations and 131 Delays

Japan Airlines (JAL) has been heavily impacted, with 20 cancellations and 131 delays, causing serious disruption for passengers traveling both internationally and domestically.

Major Cancelled Flights by Japan Airlines:

• Tokyo to New York
• Tokyo to Hong Kong
• Osaka to Paris

All Nippon Airways: 16 Cancellations and 122 Delays

All Nippon Airways (ANA) reported 16 cancellations and 122 delays, mostly on long-haul international routes. Passengers are facing significant rebooking challenges.

Major Cancelled Flights by All Nippon Airways:

• Tokyo to London
• Tokyo to Singapore
• Osaka to Hong Kong

Jetstar Japan: 7 Cancellations and 15 Delays

Jetstar Japan has reported 7 cancellations and 15 delays, primarily affecting domestic routes between Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

Major Cancelled Flights by Jetstar Japan:

• Osaka to Tokyo
• Tokyo to Fukuoka

Mandarin Airlines: 2 Cancellations and 8 Delays

Mandarin Airlines, operating mostly regional routes in Taiwan, has had 2 cancellations and 8 delays, with limited impact compared to larger carriers.

Major Cancelled Flights by Mandarin Airlines:

• Taipei to Kaohsiung
• Taipei to Taichung

Hokkaido Air System: 9 Cancellations and 3 Delays

Hokkaido Air System has experienced 9 cancellations and 3 delays, mostly affecting flights from Sapporo to Tokyo and Osaka.

Major Cancelled Flights by Hokkaido Air System:

• Sapporo to Tokyo
• Sapporo to Osaka

Tibet Airlines: 6 Cancellations and 29 Delays

Tibet Airlines has had 6 cancellations and 29 delays, mostly affecting flights between Lhasa and major cities like Chengdu and Beijing.

Major Cancelled Flights by Tibet Airlines:

• Lhasa to Chengdu
• Lhasa to Beijing

Cause of Cancellations and Delays

The flight cancellations and delays have been primarily caused by a combination of adverse weather conditions, including thunderstorms and heavy fog at major airports. Additionally, technical issues and operational challenges have been cited as factors leading to the delays. Several airlines reported issues with aircraft maintenance, while air traffic control restrictions in major airports have contributed to delays in departures.

Impact on Travel and Passengers

The ripple effects of these cancellations and delays have been felt across major airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Osaka, where passengers have been left stranded for hours. Many travelers are finding themselves rebooked on alternate flights, but with limited availability, long queues, and limited facilities at airports. This disruption has been particularly frustrating for business travelers and holidaymakers, who are now scrambling to reschedule their travel plans.

Advice for Passengers

• Check with Airlines: Passengers should immediately contact their airline to check flight status and explore rebooking options.
• Monitor Flight Status: Stay updated by regularly checking flight statuses via airline apps or airport websites.
• Plan for Delays: Expect long waiting times at the airport, so prepare by bringing snacks, entertainment, and essential items.
• Consider Alternative Routes: Explore other nearby airports for potential rebooking or alternative transportation methods.

Conclusion

The recent wave of flight cancellations and delays has left thousands of passengers stranded across Asia. With over 180 flights cancelled and 1,088 delayed, travelers are facing frustration and uncertainty. Airlines are working to manage the situation, but the ongoing disruptions are likely to continue for some time. Passengers are advised to stay informed, contact their airlines for assistance, and plan for longer waits at airports.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware