Thousands of Travelers Stuck in Airports Across Asia as Air China, Shenzhen, Hokkaido, Tibet, Tianjin and More Struggle with 90 Cancellations and 794 Delays, Impacting Beijing, Kunming, Naha, Fukuoka, Lhasa and others—Here’s What You Should Know!

Published on December 5, 2025

Travellers across Aisa are reeling as a wave of flight cancellations smashes through the schedules of several major airlines, including Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Chengdu Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Jetstar Japan, and others. From capital-city hubs like Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai to regional gateways such as Fukuoka, Kunming, Naha, Lhasa, and more, hundreds of passengers have been left stranded, scrambling for alternate flights. The airline disruption affects everyone — business travellers, holiday-makers, students — and serves as a stark reminder that even large networks can crumble when weather, operational issues, and air-traffic congestion collide.

Air China — Flights Cancelled

Here are the cancelled flights under Air China :

• CCA8598 A320 Taiyuan Wusu (TYN) → Wenzhou Int’l (WNZ) — Thu 07:40 PM CST
• CCA1750 A321 Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) → Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) — Thu 07:55 PM CST
• CCA1270 B738 Yan’an (ENY) → Beijing Capital (PEK) — Thu 08:10 PM CST
• CCA1593 A21N Beijing Capital (PEK) → Penglai (YNT) — Thu 08:25 PM CST
• CCA1525 A21N Beijing Capital → Qingdao (TAO) — Thu 08:30 PM CST
• CCA1402 B789 Chengdu Shuangliu → Beijing Capital — Thu 08:40 PM CST
• CCA1346 A330 Sanya Phoenix (SYX) → Beijing Capital — Thu 08:40 PM CST
• CCA1236 B738 Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) → Beijing Capital — Thu 08:45 PM CST
• CCA1264 B738 Yinchuan Helanshan (INC) → Beijing Capital — Thu 08:55 PM CST
• CCA8380 B38M Nanchang Changbei (KHN) → Beijing Daxing (PKX) — Thu 09:05 PM CST
• CCA1338 B789 Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) → Beijing Capital — Thu 09:10 PM CST
• CCA1573 A321 Beijing Capital → Wenzhou (WNZ) — Thu 09:15 PM CST
• CCA1436 B738 Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG) → Beijing Capital — Thu 09:25 PM CST
• CCA1732 A320 Beijing Capital → Hangzhou Xiaoshan — Thu 09:40 PM CST
• CCA1812 B738 Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN) → Beijing Capital — Thu 09:40 PM CST
• CCA8654 B738 Yinchuan Helanshan → Beijing Daxing — Thu 09:45 PM CST
• CCA1318 B38M Changsha Huanghua (CSX) → Beijing Capital — Thu 10:15 PM CST
• CCA1594 A21N Penglai (YNT) → Beijing Capital — Thu 10:20 PM CST
• CCA1701 A320 Hangzhou Xiaoshan → Beijing Capital — Fri 07:10 AM CST
• CCA1526 A21N Qingdao → Beijing Capital — Fri 08:05 AM CST

These cancellations hit some of China’s busiest routes. Numerous flights originating or arriving in Beijing — the nerve‑centre for domestic and international travel — are grounded.

China Eastern Airlines — Flights Cancelled

For China Eastern Airlines, flights have been cancelled:

• CES9184 C919 Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) → Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) — Thu 08:40 PM CST
• CES5127 A333 Shanghai Hongqiao → Beijing Capital (PEK) — Thu 09:10 PM CST
• CES9020 B735 Guilin Liangjiang (KWL) → Shanghai Pudong (PVG) — Thu 09:50 PM CST
• CES5983 737 Kunming Changshui (KMG) → Baoshan (BSD) — Thu 10:20 PM CST
• CES5984 737 Baoshan (BSD) → Kunming Changshui — Fri 12:05 AM CST
• CES9093 ARJ Hefei Xinqiao (HFE) → Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) — Fri 07:10 AM CST
• CES2392 A20N Xi’an Xianyang → Wenzhou (WNZ) — Fri 10:30 AM CST
• CES9094 ARJ Xi’an Xianyang → Hefei Xinqiao — Fri 10:30 AM CST
• CES2391 A319 Wenzhou → Xi’an Xianyang — Fri 03:00 PM CST
• CES9099 C09 Hefei Xinqiao → Dashuipo (WEH) — Fri 05:45 PM CST
• CES9100 C09 Dashuipo → Hefei Xinqiao — Fri 08:25 PM CST
• CES868 A20N Noi Bai (HAN, Vietnam) → Xi’an Xianyang — Fri 08:50 PM (+07)
• CES2227 A319 Xi’an Xianyang → Karamay (KRY) — Sat 07:45 AM CST
• CES9071 ARJ Hefei Xinqiao → Zhanjiang (ZHA) — Sat 09:40 AM CST
• CES2155 A321 Xi’an Xianyang → Shanghai Hongqiao — Sat 11:10 AM CST
• CES2228 A319 Karamay → Xi’an Xianyang — Sat 12:45 PM CST
• CES9072 ARJ Zhanjiang → Hefei Xinqiao — Sat 01:10 PM CST
• CES5625 A320 Shanghai Pudong → Dalian Zhoushuizi (DLC) — Sat 01:50 PM CST
• CES2158 A321 Shanghai Hongqiao → Xi’an Xianyang — Sat 02:20 PM CST
• CES5626 A320 Dalian Zhoushuizi → Shanghai Pudong — Sat 05:00 PM CST

Major hubs such as Shanghai (Pudong and Hongqiao) and Xi’an appear particularly affected.

Shenzhen Airlines — Flights Cancelled

Shenzhen Airlines has cancelled eight flights:

• CSZ8891 A320 Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) → Yangzhou Taizhou (YTY) — Sat 08:15 AM CST
• CSZ8417 A320 Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) → Yangzhou Taizhou (YTY) — Sat 11:20 AM CST
• CSZ8892 A320 Yangzhou Taizhou → Shenzhen Bao’an — Sat 11:25 AM CST
• CSZ9714 B738 Hefei Xinqiao (HFE) → Shenyang Taoxian (SHE) — Sat 11:35 AM CST
• CSZ8418 A320 Yangzhou Taizhou → Chengdu Tianfu — Sat 02:35 PM CST
• CSZ9713 B738 Shenyang Taoxian → Hefei Xinqiao — Sat 03:25 PM CST
• CSZ8525 B738 Wuxi (WUX) → Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE) — Sat 04:35 PM CST
• CSZ8034 A320 Hong Kong International (HKG) → Chengdu Tianfu — Sat 07:25 PM HKT

Flights between regional airports and major cities like Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Hong Kong were disrupted.

Chengdu Airlines — Flights Cancelled

Under Chengdu Airlines, flights have been grounded:

• UEA3089 909: Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC) → (DHH) — Thu 08:10 PM CST
• UEA3090 909: (DHH) → Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC) — Thu 01:50 PM UTC
• UEA2939 909: Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC) → Kashgar (Kashi) (KHG) — Fri 08:05 AM CST
• UEA3025 909: Yining (YIN) → Tacheng (TCG) — Fri 08:30 AM CST
• UEA2971 909: Turpan Jiaohe (TLQ) → Tacheng (TCG) — Fri 09:25 AM CST
• UEA3025 909: Tacheng (TCG) → Altay (AAT) — Fri 10:10 AM CST
• UEA2971 909: Tacheng (TCG) → Hotan (HTN) — Fri 11:20 AM CST
• UEA2931 909: Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC) → Kanas (KJI) — Fri 01:35 PM CST
• UEA2932 909: Kanas (KJI) → Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC) — Fri 03:35 PM CST
• UEA2939 909: Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC) → Kashgar (Kashi) (KHG) — Sat 08:05 AM CST
• UEA2939 909: Kashgar (Kashi) (KHG) → (HQL) — Sat 10:35 AM CST
• UEA2940 909: (HQL) → Kashgar (Kashi) (KHG) — Sat 04:05 AM UTC
• UEA2940 909: Kashgar (Kashi) (KHG) → Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC) — Sat 02:05 PM CST

These cancellations affect travellers between Sichuan province and China’s major northern & eastern hubs.

Japan Transocean Air Co. (JTA) — Flights Cancelled

JTA (Japan Transocean Air Co.) cancellations:

• JTA605 B738 Naha (OKA) → Ishigaki (ISG) — Fri 10:05 AM JST
• JTA608 B738 Ishigaki → Naha — Fri 11:50 AM JST
• JTA601 B738 Naha → Ishigaki — Sat 07:20 AM JST
• JTA600 B738 Ishigaki → Naha — Sat 09:05 AM JST
• JTA607 B738 Naha → Ishigaki — Sat 11:00 AM JST
• JTA610 B738 Ishigaki → Naha — Sat 12:40 PM JST
• JTA211 B738 Naha → Kumejima (UEO) — Sat 02:10 PM JST
• JTA212 B738 Kumejima → Naha — Sat 03:21 PM JST

These disruptions hit domestic Japanese routes — particularly between Okinawa’s islands — affecting local travel and tourism.

Sichuan Airlines — Flights Cancelled

Sichuan Airlines cancellations:

• CSC8881 A320: Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) — Fri 06:40 AM CST
• CSC8882 A320: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) — Fri 10:50 AM CST
• CSC8705 A321: Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) → Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX) — Fri 01:40 PM CST
• CSC8863 A320: Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) → Tianjin Binhai Int’l (TSN) — Fri 02:25 PM CST
• CSC8706 A321: Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) — Fri 05:05 PM CST
• CSC8864 A320: Tianjin Binhai Int’l (TSN) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) — Fri 06:05 PM CST

These cancellations impact Tibet–Sichuan connectivity, crucial for travellers heading to remote or high‑altitude regions.

Tibet Airlines — Flights Cancelled

Tibet Airlines saw nine flights cancelled, including:

• TBA9804 A319: Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) — Thu 07:55 PM CST
• TBA9720 A319: Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG) — Thu 09:40 PM CST
• TBA9969 A319: Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Ngari Gunsa (NGQ) — Fri 07:25 AM CST
• TBA9849 A19N: Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) → Qamdo Bangda (BPX) — Fri 07:30 AM CST
• TBA9850 A19N: Qamdo Bangda (BPX) → Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) — Fri 09:20 AM CST
• TBA9848 A319: Nyingchi Mainling (LZY) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) — Fri 10:00 AM CST
• TBA9970 A319: Ngari Gunsa (NGQ) → Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) — Fri 10:10 AM CST
• TBA9909 A319: Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) → Lijiang (LJG) — Fri 10:25 AM CST
• TBA9910 A319: Lijiang (LJG) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) — Fri 11:25 PM CST

These cuts particularly affect travellers to remote Tibetan airports — often the only direct link to remote regions.

Tianjin Airlines — Flights Cancelled

Tianjin Airlines disruption:

• GCR7803 E190 Tianjin Binhai (TSN) → Taiyuan Wusu (TYN) — Fri 07:50 AM CST
• GCR7804 E190 Taiyuan Wusu → Tianjin Binhai — Fri 10:05 AM CST
• GCR7833 E190 Tianjin Binhai → Hohhot Baita (HET) — Fri 03:15 PM CST
• GCR7834 E190 Hohhot Baita → Tianjin Binhai — Fri 09:25 PM CST

Regional flows connecting northern cities have been paused.

Jetstar Japan — Flights Cancelled

Jetstar Japan cancellations:

• JJP404 A320 Matsuyama (MYJ) → Narita (NRT) — Thu 08:50 PM JST
• JJP105 A21N Narita → New Chitose (CTS) — Fri 08:10 AM JST
• JJP104 A21N New Chitose → Narita — Fri 10:45 AM JST
• JJP511 A21N Narita → Fukuoka (FUK) — Fri 01:30 PM JST
• JJP983 A21N Fukuoka → New Chitose (CTS) — Fri 04:45 PM JST
• JJP118 A21N New Chitose → Narita — Fri 08:00 PM JST

These cancellations impact both domestic travellers and international‑returning Japanese travellers, causing missed connections.

Hokkaido Air System — Flights Cancelled

Hokkaido Air System disruptions:

• NTH2865 AT43 Okadama (Sapporo Airfield, OKD) → Kushiro (KUH) — Fri 02:25 PM JST
• NTH2864 AT43 Kushiro → Okadama — Fri 03:40 PM JST
• NTH3449 AT43 Okadama → Hakodate (HKD) — Fri 05:01 PM JST
• NTH3448 AT43 Hakodate → Okadama — Fri 06:11 PM JST

Local services within Hokkaido thus came to a halt, affecting residents and domestic holiday‑makers alike.

Airport Analysis: Where the Blow Hit Hardest

• Major hubs under pressure: Airports like Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) / Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) bore the brunt of cancellations. Crowded terminals, overwhelmed customer‑service counters, and packed rebooking lines were common.
• Regional airports disrupted: Secondary airports — e.g. those serving Tibet, remote cities in north China, smaller Japanese islands — saw cancellations that effectively cut off air access to remote areas. That’s a major blow for tourists and locals alike.
• Network‑wide ripple effects: As flights from major hubs ground, downstream connections collapsed. Passengers missed onward flights inside China or abroad. The disruption created cascading travel chaos over multiple days.

Why This Wave of Cancellations Happened

Several converging factors are to blame:

• Adverse weather & poor visibility: Recent heavy fog, storms, and unstable weather across eastern and central China have disrupted many flights.
• Air‑traffic control (ATC) congestion and flow restrictions: With many flights queued around major hubs, airspace congestion and control restrictions slowed or blocked departures — sometimes leading to cancellations.
• Aircraft/crew scheduling pressures: High aircraft utilisation and tight crew scheduling have little margin for delay. When one flight is delayed or cancelled, it often cascades, especially on heavily trafficked networks.
• Operational fragility post‑pandemic recovery: Airlines ramping up seat supply post‑pandemic are still vulnerable. Even a small disruption — weather, ATC, maintenance — can cause disproportionate fallout.

What This Means for Travellers & Tourism

• Stranded passengers across country and continent — many have missed onward flights or found no viable rebooking.
• Tourism blow in remote & fragile destinations — some remote regions such as Tibet or remote Japanese islands saw their few scheduled flights cancelled — a blow during peak travel periods.
• Business and holiday plans disrupted — domestic as well as international travellers impacted, from corporate executives to students to holiday‑makers.
• Airport chaos — long queues, crowded lounges, tired travellers waiting for information — especially at major hubs.

Advice for Travellers Facing Cancellations

• Check flight status regularly — Digital platforms (airline websites / apps) often reflect real‑time updates faster than notice boards.
• Contact airlines for rebooking or refund — Many carriers offer alternative flights or full refunds. For some carriers, compensation may apply under applicable rights norms.
• Arrive at airports early — If you have a rebooked flight, expect security and check‑in delays due to high load at counters.
• Have contingency plans — Consider alternate routes (e.g. via different hub), or adjust travel dates. If travelling to remote areas, allow buffer days.

Conclusion

The sweeping cancellations hitting multiple airlines — from giants like Air China and China Eastern Airlines to regional carriers in China and Japan — show how fragile modern air travel can be. A blend of weather disruptions, air‑traffic congestion, and tight scheduling has exposed vulnerabilities. For travellers, the message is clear: stay vigilant, prepare alternate plans, and manage expectations. For the aviation and tourism industry, this is a wake‑up call — reinforcing the need for better contingency planning, more robust scheduling, and improved passenger‑support systems when disruption strikes.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware