Travel Disarray at Tokyo International Airport, Beijing Daxing, Yinchuan Helanshan, Kota Kinabalu and Korla Licheng as 10 Flights were Cancelled and 68 Flights were Delayed Between Osaka, Komatsu And More

Published on December 7, 2025

As the winter season approaches and travelers prepare for holiday vacations across Asia, an unexpected wave of flight cancellations and delays has caused significant disruptions. Major international and regional airports, including Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), Beijing Daxing International Airport, Yinchuan Helanshan Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and Korla Airport, have been heavily impacted. These disruptions come at a time when the tourism sector is gearing up for peak travel, leading to potential setbacks for both tourists and the travel industry alike.

From cancellations affecting key international connections to delays in regional flights, the ripple effects of these disturbances threaten to disrupt holiday plans, dampen tourism demand, and create challenges for businesses across the travel and hospitality sectors. The following is a detailed breakdown of the disruptions at these airports and their broader implications for travelers and the tourism industry.

Cancellations & Delays — Airport-by-Airport Breakdown

Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) — Japan

Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, one of Asia’s busiest transportation hubs, has reported 4 cancellations and 22 delays in recent days. Given its status as a primary international and domestic gateway for Tokyo, these disruptions can severely affect both inbound and outbound travelers. Haneda’s high volume of passengers means that even small disruptions can cause major ripple effects across Japan’s tourism and business sectors. As a major entry point for international visitors, particularly those arriving from the United States, Europe, and other parts of Asia, flight cancellations can significantly impact visitor numbers and travel schedules.

Cancelled Departures of Tokyo Int’l (Haneda) Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport — China

Beijing Daxing International, a key transportation hub in China, has reported 3 cancelled flights and 21 delayed flights. The airport, which boasts one of the world’s largest terminals, is critical for both domestic and international travel. As a vital hub for international connections, particularly between China and the rest of Asia, delays and cancellations at Daxing can disrupt thousands of travelers. The political tension between China and Japan has been a contributing factor to the disruptions, with several airlines scaling back flights on routes between the two countries. This reduction in service has affected Daxing’s operations, impacting tourism and business travel.

Cancelled Departures of Beijing Daxing International Airport

Yinchuan Helanshan Airport — China (Ningxia Region)

Yinchuan Helanshan Airport, while not as large as some of its counterparts, is an important regional airport in the Ningxia region of China. This airport has faced 1 cancelled flight and 5 delayed flights, causing disruptions for travelers in this less‑frequented part of the country. Although the scale of disruption is smaller, delays and cancellations at regional airports like Yinchuan still affect local tourism, as many travelers use this airport to access remote areas of China’s northwest.

Cancelled Departures of Yinchuan Helanshan Airport

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) — Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), located in East Malaysia, has seen 1 cancelled flight and 13 delayed flights. As a key entry point for travelers visiting the Sabah region and the island of Borneo, disruptions at KKIA can have significant effects on tourism, particularly in eco‑tourism and adventure travel. Visitors flock to Kota Kinabalu for its stunning natural beauty, including Mount Kinabalu and nearby islands, and delays can lead to frustrations for tourists planning nature tours and wildlife expeditions.

Cancelled Departures of Kota Kinabalu Int’l Airport

Korla Licheng Airport — Xinjiang Region, China

Korla Licheng Airport, a smaller regional airport serving Korla city in the Xinjiang region of China, experienced 1 cancelled flight and 7 delayed flights. While the airport’s overall impact on international tourism is limited, regional travelers and those with connecting flights may be impacted. Delays and cancellations at Korla affect local tourism, especially for those visiting Xinjiang’s unique cultural and natural attractions, such as the Taklamakan Desert and the ancient city of Kashgar.

Cancelled Arrivals of Korla Airport

What’s Causing the Chaos?

The root cause of the widespread cancellations and delays lies in a combination of geopolitical tensions, operational challenges, and airline capacity adjustments. For example, the ongoing diplomatic issues between China and Japan have resulted in a significant reduction in flights between the two countries. Airlines, particularly Chinese carriers, have cut back on services to Japan in response to declining demand and government advisories. This reduction in seat capacity has had a cascading effect on both international and regional travel, resulting in delays and cancellations at airports such as Haneda, Daxing, and others.

Operational inefficiencies, resource reallocation, and weather-related delays have also played a role. Airports with high passenger volumes, like Haneda and Daxing, are particularly susceptible to knock‑on delays when there are disruptions at one or more points in the flight network.

Key Affected Destinations & Tourism Fallout

The biggest blow has been to tourism between China and Japan, with thousands of tourists in limbo. The reduction in flights between these two countries has led to a decline in tourism, as many travelers have had their holiday plans disrupted. For Japan, this means fewer Chinese visitors — a crucial demographic for the local economy, particularly in popular tourist destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. For other destinations like Kota Kinabalu and Xinjiang, while the impact may not be as widespread, regional tourism is still affected.

Conclusion — What This Means for Travelers and Tourism

The current wave of flight cancellations and delays highlights the fragile nature of modern travel. With tensions between China and Japan impacting air travel and operational challenges affecting airports across Asia, travelers must be prepared for uncertainty. For those planning trips in the coming weeks, flexibility and contingency plans will be crucial. Airlines, airports, and tourism businesses need to adapt quickly to the evolving situation, offering flexible booking options and clear communication to mitigate the impact on travelers.

For tourists, especially those with multi‑leg journeys or tight connections, extra time for travel and backup plans will be essential. Tourism operators, particularly those in destinations like Japan, Malaysia, and Xinjiang, will need to manage the fallout from these disruptions and consider offering incentives to encourage bookings in what may otherwise be a difficult season.

Source:- FlightAware and Different Airports