Thousands of Passengers Stranded Across China as Airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and More Face 77 Flight Cancellations and 772 Delays by Shenzhen, Shandong, Hainan Airlines, and Others—Here’s What You Need to Know

Published on November 26, 2025

In a blow to China’s post‑pandemic aviation rebound, the nation’s carriers have racked up a staggering 772 flight delays and 77 cancellations over the latest reporting period. With delays and cancellations affecting dozens of flights across multiple airlines, passengers nationwide are facing mounting disruption just as domestic travel surges back to pre‑COVID levels under the watch of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China and CAAC.

With aviation traffic breathing back to life—passenger throughput and cargo volumes climbing sharply in 2024 and 2025 this mass of delays and cancellations deals a serious blow to the public’s trust in reliability

Why the Surge in Disruptions Rings Alarms

This wave of cancellations and delays doesn’t come in isolation. Previous studies have shown that flight delays in China can delay overall on‑time performance and hurt the econonomy.

According to CAAC and independent aviation researchers, airline operations, air‑traffic control, and weather remain the top factors behind delays—some of which could be mitigated through better coordination between airports, carriers, and regulators.

In fact, analysts warn the broader cost to China’s economy may be severe. That includes lost time, extra costs for passengers and airlines, and even ripple effects across sectors dependent on timely air transport

Hainan Cancelled Airlines

What This Means for Travellers

For everyday passengers—families going home for holidays, business travellers, or holidaymakers—these disruptions translate into stress and uncertainty.

Cancellations can leave people stranded or scrambling to rebook. Even delays—sometimes hours long—can wreck connecting flights, meetings, or holiday plans.

Under existing regulation, airlines are required to provide assistance—like meals or alternative transport—especially for domestic travelers when flights are canceled or severely delayed.

Despite that, the surge in disruptions may overwhelm airline support systems, leading to frustration and long waits for compensation.

China Express Cancelled Airlines:

Regulatory Spotlight: Pressure on CAAC, Ministry of Transport

The agency in charge of oversight, the CAAC, along with the Ministry of Transport, now face intensified scrutiny from both public and policymakers.

Industry insiders believe that pressure may mount for stricter enforcement of punctuality standards, better contingency planning, and potential penalties for carriers that fail to meet regularity obligations

CAAC has previously committed to boosting service quality and flight regularity. Now, with such high disruption totals, demands may grow for more aggressive reforms—including improved scheduling, infrastructure upgrades, and technological solutions to reduce delays.

China Southern Cancelled Airlines:

Broader Consequences for Economy and Confidence

Beyond inconvenience to passengers, these disruptions carry serious economic and reputational consequences.

Studies have estimated that nationwide delays can cost China’s economy tens of billions — in part by increasing operating costs for airlines, reducing productivity, and disrupting supply chains that rely on punctual air transport.

Moreover, for China’s civil aviation sector—already rebounding with rapid growth in passenger numbers and cargo—ongoing delays could shake traveler confidence and discourage future bookings.

Shenzen Cancelled Airlines:

The Numbers Behind the Chaos

The disruption tally reflects the cumulative totals from multiple key Chinese airlines:

• Air China – 28 cancellations, 156 delays
• China Eastern Airlines – 22 cancellations, 179 delays
• Hainan Airlines – 7 cancellations, 40 delays
• China Express Airlines – 5 cancellations, 71 delays
• China Southern Airlines – 4 cancellations, 133 delays
• Shenzhen Airlines – 3 cancellations, 83 delays
• Shandong Airlines – 3 cancellations, 41 delays
• China United Airlines – 3 cancellations, 28 delays
• Chengdu Airlines – 2 cancellations, 41 delays

Combined, these disruptions amount to 77 flights cancelled and 772 flights delayed across China’s domestic aviation network.