Travel Disarray at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Shenzhen Baoan International, Shanghai Pudong, Hangzhou Xiaoshan and Zhanjiang Airport as 18 Flights were Cancelled and 395 Flights were Delayed Between Lijiang, Beijing And More

Published on December 5, 2025

China’s bustling air transport network — integral to both tourism and business — has faced significant disruptions over the past few days. With major airports across the country reporting dozens of cancelled and delayed flights, travelers are left stranded, causing serious consequences for both local tourism and connectivity. Key airports, such as Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and Zhanjiang Airport, have seen flight operations thrown into disarray, affecting both holiday and business travel.

Whether for family vacations, corporate trips, or leisure journeys, these widespread disruptions are proving to be costly, undermining passenger confidence and throwing travel plans into chaos. The delays and cancellations come as the peak holiday season approaches, raising questions about the resilience of China’s aviation network and the broader tourism sector.

Cancellations & Delays by Airport

Below are the specific details of the flight cancellations and delays across the most impacted airports in China:

• Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
  • Cancelled Flights: 11
  • Delayed Flights: 98
    Chengdu Shuangliu International is a key gateway for tourists heading to southwest China, including the famous Sichuan province. The disruption here has affected flights to major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. The volume of cancellations has severely impacted business travellers and tourists visiting local attractions like the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Cancelled Arrivals of Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l Airport

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)

• Cancelled Flights: 2
• Delayed Flights: 166
  Shenzhen, one of the fastest-growing cities in southern China, relies heavily on its international and domestic flights. The delays at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport have affected flights to popular destinations such as Beijing and Shanghai, making it challenging for business travellers and holidaymakers to connect to other major cities in the country. The ripple effect has been felt in the city’s booming tourism sector.

Cancelled Arrivals of Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l Airport

• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
  • Cancelled Flights: 3
  • Delayed Flights: 75
    Shanghai Pudong International is another key hub for both international and domestic travel, with travellers often connecting to flights bound for Europe, the US, and other parts of Asia. The disruption here, while not as severe as at other airports, still caused delays and cancellations for passengers flying to destinations like Chengdu, Beijing, and Shenzhen. Shanghai is a global tourism magnet, and these disruptions are impacting the flow of visitors to the city’s famous landmarks, such as the Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Cancelled Departures of Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport

• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
  • Cancelled Flights: 1
  • Delayed Flights: 48
    Hangzhou, a popular tourist destination in eastern China, is known for its scenic West Lake and thriving tea industry. The minor disruption at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport has resulted in delays and cancellations that affect both domestic business and leisure travellers heading to and from key cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. This airport’s importance to tourism cannot be overstated as it serves as a major gateway to the region’s cultural and natural attractions.

Cancelled Departures of Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l Airport

• Zhanjiang Airport (ZHA)
  • Cancelled Flights: 1
  • Delayed Flights: 8
    Zhanjiang Airport, located in Guangdong province in southern China, typically handles fewer flights than the major hubs but still serves as a vital link for local tourism. The single cancelled flight here has impacted travellers’ plans, especially to larger hubs such as Beijing and Guangzhou, further complicating the travel landscape.

Cancelled Arrivals of Zhanjiang Airport

Fallout on Tourism & Travellers: Confidence Shaken, Plans Upended

• Tourism Setback: Major tourism destinations like Chengdu, Beijing, and Shanghai depend heavily on air travel, and these disruptions have caused significant losses. From lost reservations to missed flights, the tourism industry is already feeling the pinch.
• Strained Passenger Relations: Many travellers now face the hassle of rearranging itineraries or cancelling their trips. This has led to long lines at check-in desks, with passengers facing frustrated service due to the high volume of complaints and requests.
• Economic Impact on Local Industries: Local economies, particularly those in the affected regions, are also suffering as the influx of domestic tourists has been severely reduced. Hospitality businesses, retail outlets, and other tourism-dependent sectors in cities like Chengdu and Hangzhou are feeling the consequences.

Conclusion

The cancellations and delays at key airports, including Chengdu Shuangliu, Beijing Capital, Shenzhen Bao’an, Shanghai Pudong, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, and Zhanjiang, are a stark reminder of how even minor disruptions can cascade into widespread travel chaos. These events not only inconvenience thousands of passengers but also disrupt local economies and tourism. For the aviation industry and tourism sector alike, this disruption underscores the need for stronger resilience, better contingency planning, and improved customer service communication to restore passenger confidence.

As China moves toward peak travel periods, there will be increased scrutiny on how well airlines, airports, and tourism stakeholders adapt to these challenges. With the right improvements, China can better weather the storm and continue its growth as a travel hub — but it will require more than just short-term fixes to ensure long-term success.

Source:- FlightAware and Different Airports