Thousands of Travelers Stranded in Asia as China Eastern, Hainan, VietJet Air, Malaysia, All Nippon Airways, Philippine, and Other Carriers Face 51 Cancellations and 849 Delays, Sparking Chaos in Beijing, Chengdu, Fukuoka, Phuket, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Beyond

Published on December 24, 2025

Asia’s busiest airports have been plunged into chaos, as a wave of flight cancellations and delays across major airlines has stranded thousands of travelers. The disruption has caused severe travel headaches, with many passengers left scrambling to find alternative arrangements. Airlines including China Eastern, Hainan, VietJet Air, Malaysia Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Philippine Airlines, and others have faced significant operational challenges, resulting in 51 cancellations and 849 delays at key airports across the continent. The situation has impacted cities from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur, as travelers across Asia try to cope with the ongoing travel turmoil.

A Detailed Breakdown of Affected Airports

The most severe disruptions have been felt at major airports in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Airports like Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong have seen a staggering number of delays, leaving passengers stranded for extended periods. Here’s a look at the situation at some of the most affected airports:

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)

• Cancellations: 10
• Delays: 47

Chengdu Tianfu, one of the busiest airports in western China, has experienced significant operational disruptions, with passengers facing long delays and cancellations. Many travelers bound for international destinations were particularly affected, adding to the frustration of those already experiencing travel chaos across the region.

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

• Cancellations: 6
• Delays: 48

Beijing Capital, China’s primary international gateway, has seen several international and domestic flights grounded due to unforeseen issues. With 6 cancellations and 48 delays, travelers passing through this major airport have been enduring considerable frustration, particularly with the holiday season drawing near.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

• Cancellations: 6
• Delays: 32

Shanghai, one of China’s most important aviation hubs, also saw significant flight disruptions. Both domestic and international routes were affected by these delays and cancellations, with many passengers facing extended wait times.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

• Cancellations: 5
• Delays: 51

Pudong, Shanghai‘s primary international airport, was one of the most heavily impacted. With 5 cancellations and 51 delays, travelers at this major international hub were left in limbo, unable to catch their flights on time. The long delays have caused ripple effects at other airports across the region.

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

• Cancellations: 4
• Delays: 34

Beijing’s Daxing airport, which has been operational for a few years now, also faced disruption. The airport’s modern infrastructure and growing international connectivity were undermined by these flight cancellations and delays, impacting travelers trying to reach global destinations.

Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)

• Cancellations: 5
• Delays: 34

Kunming, located in China’s southwestern region, has become an important transit point for travelers heading to Southeast Asia. However, with 5 cancellations and 34 delays, the airport’s operations were severely hampered during this chaotic travel period.

Southeast Asia and Beyond: Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Phuket Struggle

Southeast Asia’s busiest airports are no strangers to flight disruptions, but the latest series of cancellations and delays have been unusually severe. Below are some of the major issues faced by airports in the region:

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

• Cancellations: 1
• Delays: 58

Hong Kong, a major international hub, was also affected by significant delays. With 58 flights delayed and 1 cancellation, passengers at Hong Kong International Airport had to deal with overcrowded terminals and limited flight options.

Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

• Cancellations: 1
• Delays: 76

Changi Airport, renowned for its world-class facilities, was not immune to the disruption sweeping across Asia. While only 1 flight was cancelled, 76 others were delayed, causing severe inconvenience for both departing and arriving travelers.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

• Cancellations: 1
• Delays: 57

Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, one of Vietnam’s busiest, saw 57 delays. Despite only one flight being cancelled, the sheer number of delayed flights added to the turmoil for passengers traveling to and from the airport.

Fukuoka Airport (FUK)

• Cancellations: 3
• Delays: 36

Japan’s Fukuoka Airport, a key gateway to Kyushu Island, also experienced major disruptions. With 3 cancellations and 36 delays, travelers flying from Fukuoka were faced with a confusing and frustrating journey.

Naha Airport (OKA)

• Cancellations: 2
• Delays: 31

Naha, in Okinawa Prefecture, experienced some turbulence with 2 cancellations and 31 delays. The airport, which handles a large number of regional and international flights, saw its efficiency falter as passengers were left waiting in the terminal for longer than expected.

Phuket International Airport (HKT)

• Cancellations: 1
• Delays: 34

Phuket’s airport, a major destination for holidaymakers, also faced disruptions, with 1 flight cancelled and 34 delayed. The tropical island’s popularity as a tourist destination only added to the frustrations, as many passengers struggled to get home or proceed to their next destinations.

Kuala Lumpur and Manila Airports in Crisis

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)

• Cancellations: 1
• Delays: 192

Kuala Lumpur, one of Southeast Asia’s busiest aviation hubs, has seen extensive delays, with 192 flights delayed. Though only 1 flight was cancelled, the staggering number of delays caused significant overcrowding and extended waiting times, disrupting passengers’ travel plans across the region.

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

• Cancellations: 1
• Delays: 54

In the Philippines, Manila’s main international airport was similarly affected by the disruption. With 54 delays and 1 cancellation, NAIA has had its operations thrown into disarray, with passengers unable to make timely connections or departures.

Travel Woes Across Asia’s Skies

The ripple effect of these disruptions has extended far beyond just the airports directly affected. Many international flights were either delayed or canceled due to these ongoing issues, leading to massive backlogs. Connecting flights were missed, baggage was delayed, and passengers were often left scrambling to find other ways to reach their destinations.

The primary reasons behind these widespread disruptions remain unclear, but the combination of airline scheduling problems, poor weather conditions, and operational inefficiencies seem to have contributed significantly to the chaos.

How Travelers Can Cope With These Delays

For travelers caught up in this travel mess, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Stay Informed – Always check the status of your flight through the airline’s website or app to stay updated on any changes.
2. Know Your Rights – Understand your airline’s compensation policy in case of delays or cancellations. Some airlines may offer meal vouchers or hotel accommodations for long delays.
3. Prepare for Long Waits – With so many delays, passengers should prepare for longer waits in the airport. Bring snacks, entertainment, and ensure your devices are charged.
4. Book Alternatives – If possible, consider alternative routes or different airlines to avoid additional delays.

Conclusion

The ongoing flight cancellations and delays across Asia are a harsh reminder of the challenges that travelers face when disruptions occur on a large scale. Airports in Beijing, Chengdu, Fukuoka, Phuket, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and beyond continue to experience the effects of a disrupted travel system, with thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated. While the causes of the disruptions are being investigated, travelers are urged to remain patient and keep informed about any developments. With travel volumes only expected to rise, airlines and airports must find ways to address these issues and restore confidence in air travel across Asia.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware