Thousands of Travellers Disrupted in Asia as Air China, Japan Airlines, IndiGO, PAL, and Other Carriers Cancel 137 and Delay 3,457 Flights Across Japan, India, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, and More Including Tokyo, Beijing, Delhi, Singapore, Incheon, Jakarta, and Changi.

Published on December 27, 2025

Asia’s skies are straining under massive travel disruption, with passengers across the region confronting a surge in cancelled and delayed flights that has compounded frustrations during peak travel seasons. From Tokyo to Delhi and Singapore to Shanghai, 24 major airlines collectively recorded 137 cancellations and 3,457 delays, creating a domino effect of travel chaos and raising questions about airline reliability and regulatory oversight. The human cost has been keenly felt by families, business travellers, and holidaymakers coping with sudden itinerary changes and stretched airport wait times.

This comprehensive tally draws on official figures from aviation data repositories and government sources such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India, which regularly publishes data on domestic flight performance and disruption patterns. In its public datasets and open government portals, the DGCA notes that scheduled flights in India and the wider region face delays and cancellations due to weather, technical, air traffic control, and operational reasons. These disruptions have been amplified by Asia’s rapid growth in air travel demand, which stretches airport capacity and airline resources.

Flight Disruption Figures: The Numbers Behind the Chaos

The latest compiled data from tracked airline operations across Asia shows that disruptions are not isolated incidents but represent a systemic strain on aviation networks:

Total Disruptions (24 Asian Airlines):

Grand Totals:
Cancellations: 137 | Delays: 3,457

This breakdown paints a stark picture of how delays vastly outweigh outright cancellations, reflecting ongoing operational pressures that ripple through airline schedules. Airlines like IndiGO and Japan Airlines posted particularly high delay figures, underscoring how resource allocation, crew scheduling, and aircraft availability can combine to undermine punctuality.

Behind the Numbers: What’s Causing Disruptions?

Aviation regulators and industry analysts point to a confluence of factors driving the disruption surge:

1. Weather‑Related Interruptions

Heavy fog, monsoon downpours, and typhoons are perennial challenges in Asia, often forcing airports to alter departure and arrival schedules. Reports from northern India and Japan indicate that low visibility conditions have repeatedly triggered flight hold‑ups and cancellations. Weather consistently ranks high among government‑reported causes of flight disruptions in monthly aviation reports.

2. Operational Strains and Staffing Shortages

Airlines are reporting heightened operational strain due to staffing shortages, aircraft maintenance backlogs, and increasingly tight turnarounds between flights. India’s biggest carrier, for example, faced regulatory scrutiny after a massive bout of cancellations due to pilot scheduling constraints earlier this season.

3. Air Traffic Control and Airport Congestion

Rapid expansion of air traffic across Asian hubs has outpaced infrastructure upgrades at key airports. Control towers juggling high flight volumes can inadvertently cause delays that cascade across carriers and routes.

4. Technical Penalties and Safety Checks

In some markets, heightened safety inspections and software upgrades have led to grounded aircraft and deferred departures. Regulators occasionally mandate such checks to preserve operational integrity, though they contribute to short‑term disruption spikes.

Government and Regulatory Response

In response to growing passenger outcry, civil aviation authorities across Asia have reiterated their commitment to monitoring airline performance. For instance:

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India publishes regular reports on flight cancellations and delays, tracking airline performance against domestic schedules and mandating monthly data submissions by carriers.
• The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, maintains an Air Sewa portal where traveller grievances related to flight disruptions are recorded, resolved, and monitored.

These mechanisms are designed to enforce transparency and ensure airlines are accountable for operational reliability. Regulators also urge travellers to monitor flight status updates and allow extra buffer time during peak disruption periods.

Travellers Speak Out: Real Experiences Amid the Chaos

Passengers navigating this turbulent period describe long hours of waiting at departure gates, abrupt rebooking notices, and rushed attempts to secure alternative flights. Families en route for holiday reunions and international business travellers have shared stories of unexpected overnight stays due to missed connections and prolonged delays.

One Singapore‑based traveller noted, “We were told our flight might leave ‘soon’ for four hours straight. We’ve never seen anything like this here before.”

Such accounts reflect a broader trend where airline performance issues directly affect customer experience and confidence, particularly among frequent flyers.

Looking Ahead: Can Asia’s Skies Stabilise?

Industry observers argue that while Asia’s aviation sector remains robust overall, the intricate web of routes, coupled with rapid passenger growth, demands better coordination between airlines, airports, and regulators.

Analysts suggest enhanced real‑time data sharing, improved crew and fleet scheduling, and investments in air traffic management tech could reduce future disruption rates. They also highlight the importance of proactive communication with passengers during irregular operations.

In the end, Asia’s aviation system faces a critical moment of reckoning. The season’s cancellations and delays serve as a stark reminder that travel reliability remains a cornerstone of passenger trust. For families, holidaymakers, and business travellers alike, ongoing disruptions underscore the need for better preparedness — both by airlines and the regulatory frameworks that oversee them. Only through strengthened operational resilience and transparency can Asia’s skies return to the predictability flyers expect.