Travel Mayhem Across Asia as China Eastern, Chengdu, AirAsia, Sichuan, All Nippon, Hokkaido, Jetstar Japan Struggle with 85 Cancellations and 556 Delays, Leaving Thousands Isolated Across Tianjin, Kunming, Shanghai, Tokyo, Fukuoka and others

Published on December 7, 2025

In the past few days, a wave of flight cancellations and delays has wreaked havoc across some of Asia’s busiest airports, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. Major carriers such as China Eastern, Air China, Jetstar Japan, Sichuan Airlines, Chengdu Airlines, AirAsia, Hokkaido Air System, and Shenzhen Airlines have been impacted, leading to massive disruptions at key hubs including Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Tokyo Narita (NRT), Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN), Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), Xi’an Xianyang International (XIY), Fukuoka Airport (FUK), Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW), and Kunming Changshui International (KMG). The ripple effect from these cancellations has caused significant inconvenience for travelers, particularly during peak travel hours. Here’s a detailed analysis of the situation at major airports, with a breakdown of the affected flights by airline.

Airline-Specific Flight Cancellations Across Major Carriers

The following airlines were significantly affected by the mass cancellations. We’ve compiled the list of affected flights below.

China Eastern Airlines – Flights Cancelled

China Eastern Airlines, one of the largest carriers in China, saw 20 flights cancelled across various domestic and international routes, impacting passengers traveling to major cities and regional hubs.

Cancelled Flights:

• CES6338 B732 Hefei Xinqiao Airport (HFE) to Taiyuan Wusu (TYN) – Sat 08:35 PM CST
• CES9184 C919 Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU) to Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) – Sat 08:40 PM CST
• CES5447 A321 Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) to Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) – Sat 09:20 PM CST
• CES5436 C919 Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG) to Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) – Sat 09:40 PM CST
• CES9020 A319 Guilin Liangjiang Int’l (KWL) to Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG) – Sat 09:50 PM CST
• CES5102 A333 Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) – Sun 08:10 AM CST
• CES2159 A320 Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY) to Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) – Sun 02:10 PM CST
• CES2166 A320 Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) to Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY) – Sun 06:00 PM CST
• CES6805 A320 Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG) to Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW) – Sun 06:30 PM CST
• CES9618 737 Tribhuvan Int’l (KTM) to Kunming Changshui Int’l (KMG) – Sun 05:10 PM +0545
• CES871 A20N Ningbo Lishe Int’l (NGB) to Tan Son Nhat Int’l (SGN) – Sun 11:30 PM CST
• CES2823 A319 Nanjing Lukou Int’l (NKG) to Zunyi (ZYI) – Mon 07:50 AM CST
• CES2161 A321 Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY) to Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) – Mon 04:10 PM CST
• CES9019 A319 Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG) to Guilin Liangjiang Int’l (KWL) – Mon 06:10 PM CST
• CES6805 A320 Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG) to Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW) – Mon 06:30 PM CST
• CES2232 A20N Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) to Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY) – Mon 07:10 PM CST
• CES2168 A321 Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) to Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY) – Mon 08:10 PM CST
• CES5417 A321 Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) to Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU) – Mon 09:05 PM CST
• CES9020 A319 Guilin Liangjiang Int’l (KWL) to Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG) – Mon 09:50 PM CST
• CES6955 B735 Guangzhou Baiyun Int’l (CAN) to Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY) – Tue 07:05 AM CST

Air China – Flights Cancelled

Air China also faced 20 cancellations, affecting numerous routes to and from major hubs like Beijing and Chengdu.

Cancelled Flights:

• CCA2658 909 Zhanjiang (ZHA) to Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU) – Sat 08:45 PM CST
• CCA1729 A332 Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH) to Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) – Sat 09:10 PM CST
• CCA1436 B738 Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG) to Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) – Sat 09:35 PM CST
• CCA1598 B738 Dashuipo (WEH) to Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) – Sat 10:35 PM CST
• CCA1141 909 Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) to Dongsheng (DSN) – Sun 06:25 AM CST
• CCA1851 A320 Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) to Huangyan Luqiao (HYN) – Sun 07:05 AM CST
• CCA2861 B738 Tianjin Binhai Int’l (TSN) to Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG) – Sun 07:35 AM CST
• CCA1142 909 Dongsheng (DSN) to Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) – Sun 08:35 AM CST
• CCA1706 B738 Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH) – Sun 08:40 AM CST
• CCA8631 B38M Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) to Mianyang Nanjiao (MIG) – Sun 09:05 AM CST
• CCA1489 B737 Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) to Dazhou Jinya (DZH) – Sun 09:10 AM CST
• CCA2953 B738 Tianjin Binhai Int’l (TSN) to Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU) – Sun 09:40 AM CST
• CCA1852 A320 Huangyan Luqiao (HYN) to Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) – Sun 10:15 AM CST
• CCA2862 B738 Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG) to Tianjin Binhai Int’l (TSN) – Sun 11:40 AM CST
• CCA1711 B738 Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH) to Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) – Sun 12:10 PM CST
• CCA1490 B737 Dazhou Jinya (DZH) to Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) – Sun 12:30 PM CST
• CCA8632 B38M Mianyang Nanjiao (MIG) to Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) – Sun 12:55 PM CST
• CCA4164 A320 Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) to Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE) – Sun 01:10 PM CST
• CCA2954 B738 Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU) to Tianjin Binhai Int’l (TSN) – Sun 02:15 PM CST
• CCA1201 B738 Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK) to Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY) – Sun 02:50 PM CST

China Express Airlines – Flights Cancelled

China Express Airlines, a regional carrier, also saw 20 cancellations primarily affecting domestic routes.

Cancelled Flights:

• HXA4786 CRJ9 Zhanjiang (ZHA) to Zunyi Maotai Airport (WMT) – Sat 09:15 PM CST
• HXA4122 A320 Xuzhou (XUZ) to Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG) – Sat 10:25 PM CST
• HXA4338 CRJ9 Yinchuan Helanshan (INC) to Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG) – Sat 10:30 PM CST
• HXA4786 CRJ9 Zunyi Maotai Airport (WMT) to Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG) – Sat 11:21 PM CST
• HXA4735 A320 Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU) to Wuhai (WUA) – Sun 07:00 AM CST
• HXA2787 CRJ9 Aksu (AKU) to Shihezi Huayuan (SHF) – Sun 08:20 AM CST
• HXA4835 CRJ9 Korla (KRL) to Shihezi Huayuan (SHF) – Sun 08:30 AM CST
• HXA4205 CRJ9 Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW) to Qinhuangdao Beidaihe (BPE) – Sun 09:40 AM CST
• HXA4389 CRJ9 Dongsheng (DSN) to Chifeng (CIF) – Sun 09:45 AM CST
• HXA2849 CRJ9 Ulanhot (HLH) to Arxan Yi’ershi (YIE) – Sun 10:05 AM CST
• HXA4295 CRJ9 Tianma (ZFL) to Karamay (KRY) – Sun 10:15 AM CST
• HXA4647 CRJ9 Shihezi Huayuan (SHF) to Alaer Talimu (ACF) – Sun 10:15 AM CST
• HXA2787 CRJ9 Shihezi Huayuan (SHF) to Altay (AAT) – Sun 10:20 AM CST
• HXA4206 CRJ9 Qinhuangdao Beidaihe (BPE) to Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW) – Sun 11:25 AM CST
• HXA2850 CRJ9 Arxan Yi’ershi (YIE) to Ulanhot (HLH) – Sun 11:40 AM CST
• HXA4390 CRJ9 Chifeng (CIF) to Dongsheng (DSN) – Sun 11:55 AM CST
• HXA2788 CRJ9 Altay (AAT) to Shihezi Huayuan (SHF) – Sun 12:00 PM CST
• HXA4296 CRJ9 Karamay (KRY) to Tianma (ZFL) – Sun 12:10 PM CST
• HXA4647 CRJ9 Alaer Talimu (ACF) to Tumxuk Tangwangcheng Airport (TWC) – Sun 12:20 PM CST
• HXA4736 A320 Chifeng (CIF) to Wuhai (WUA) – Sun 12:50 PM CST

Chengdu Airlines – Flights Cancelled

Chengdu Airlines faced 7 cancellations, mostly affecting its domestic network.

Cancelled Flights:

• UEA2961 909 Yining (YIN / ZWYN) to Jiangbulake Airport (JBK / ZWQT) – Sun 09:35 AM CST
• UEA3032 909 Yining (YIN / ZWYN) to Jiangbulake Airport (JBK / ZWQT) – Sun 10:35 AM CST
• UEA2310 A320 Jiangbulake Airport (JBK / ZWQT) to Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW / ZLLL) – Sun 01:35 PM CST
• UEA3031 909 Aksu (AKU / ZWAK) to Jiangbulake Airport (JBK / ZWQT) – Sun 02:40 PM CST
• UEA1880 A320 Jiangbulake Airport (JBK / ZWQT) to Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) – Sun 03:10 PM CST
• UEA2962 909 Jiangbulake Airport (JBK / ZWQT) to Yining (YIN / ZWYN) – Sun 04:40 PM CST
• UEA3031 909 Jiangbulake Airport (JBK / ZWQT) to Yining (YIN / ZWYN) – Sun 04:45 PM CST
• UEA2310 A320 Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW / ZLLL) to Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU / ZUTF) – Sun 04:50 PM CST
• UEA1880 A320 Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) to Changsha Huanghua Int’l (CSX / ZGHA) – Sun 07:25 PM CST
• UEA1879 A320 Changsha Huanghua Int’l (CSX / ZGHA) to Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) – Mon 07:10 AM CST
• UEA1879 A320 Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) to Jiangbulake Airport (JBK / ZWQT) – Mon 10:05 AM CST

AirAsia – Flights Cancelled

AirAsia saw a limited number of cancellations, with 2 flights impacted.

Cancelled Flights:

• CES871 A20N Ningbo Lishe Int’l (NGB) to Tan Son Nhat Int’l (SGN) – Sun 11:30 PM CST
• CES9618 737 Tribhuvan Int’l (KTM) to Kunming Changshui Int’l (KMG) – Sun 05:10 PM +0545

Sichuan Airlines – Flights Cancelled

Sichuan Airlines has faced 2 cancellations, both on domestic routes.

Cancelled Flights:

• CES2159 A320 Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY) to Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA) – Sun 02:10 PM CST
• CES9019 A319 Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG) to Guilin Liangjiang Int’l (KWL) – Mon 06:10 PM CST

All Nippon Airways – Flights Cancelled

All Nippon Airways had 4 cancellations, affecting flights primarily within Japan.

Cancelled Flights:

• ANA257 787 Tokyo Int’l (HND) to Fukuoka (FUK) – Sun 02:25 PM JST
• ANA33 B772 Tokyo Int’l (HND) to Osaka Int’l (ITM) – Sun 04:10 PM JST
• ANA262 787 Fukuoka (FUK) to Tokyo Int’l (HND) – Sun 05:20 PM JST
• ANA36 B772 Osaka Int’l (ITM) to Tokyo Int’l (HND) – Sun 06:10 PM JST

Hokkaido Air System – Flights Cancelled

Hokkaido Air System saw 4 flight cancellations on its regional routes in Japan.

Cancelled Flights:

• NTH2885 AT43 Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) to Rishiri (RIS) – Sun 02:50 PM JST
• NTH2884 AT43 Rishiri (RIS) to Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) – Sun 04:13 PM JST
• NTH2727 AT43 Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) to Memanbetsu (MMB) – Sun 05:37 PM JST
• NTH2726 AT43 Memanbetsu (MMB) to Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) – Sun 06:53 PM JST

Shenzhen Airlines – Flight Cancelled

Shenzhen Airlines, though minimally affected, had 1 flight cancelled.

Cancelled Flight:

• CSZ9957 A320 Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX) to Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE) – Mon 09:55 AM CST

Jetstar Japan – Flights Cancelled

Jetstar Japan has been hit with 5 cancellations, primarily within Japan.

Cancelled Flights:

• JJP105 A21N Narita Int’l (NRT) to New Chitose (CTS) – Sun 08:10 AM JST
• JJP104 A21N New Chitose (CTS) to Narita Int’l (NRT) – Sun 10:45 AM JST
• JJP511 A21N Narita Int’l (NRT) to Fukuoka (FUK) – Sun 01:30 PM JST
• JJP983 A21N Fukuoka (FUK) to New Chitose (CTS) – Sun 04:45 PM JST
• JJP118 A21N New Chitose (CTS) to Narita Int’l (NRT) – Sun 08:00 PM JST

Widespread Flight Cancellations Disrupt Major Hubs Across Asia

Across top airports in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, passengers are facing long delays, crowded terminals, and cancellations that are significantly disrupting travel plans.

Key Airports Affected:

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) – This major hub experienced operational bottlenecks, with numerous flight cancellations and delays primarily impacting domestic connections.
• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) – Multiple cancellations led to significant delays for passengers traveling from or to major cities across China.
• Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) – The country’s busiest airport faced numerous cancellations, particularly on domestic flights, causing frustration for passengers flying within Japan.
• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) – Although primarily a domestic hub, Guangzhou also saw heavy delays affecting its international connections, especially flights to Southeast Asia and other parts of China.

With these major airports overwhelmed by the number of disrupted flights, many passengers were left scrambling for alternative travel options, and the situation has only worsened as more cancellations have piled up.

Causes of the Disruptions

These cancellations are largely due to a combination of factors:

• Severe weather conditions: Typhoons, heavy rains, and thunderstorms have caused dangerous flying conditions.
• Air traffic congestion: Overcrowded airports and limited air traffic control resources have led to delays and cancellations.
• Operational constraints: Crew shortages, maintenance issues, and logistical hurdles have contributed to the significant flight disruptions.

Impact on Travel and Passengers

The mass cancellations have disrupted travel for thousands of passengers, particularly during peak travel hours. Long lines at customer service counters, limited availability for rebooking, and overcrowded terminals have added to the stress of travelers who were already facing delays. The situation has also affected international connections, as missed flights often result in ripple effects for connecting travelers.

Passenger Advice

For those affected by cancellations, here are a few tips to minimize the inconvenience:

• Stay informed: Continuously check the status of your flight on the airline’s website or app for real-time updates.
• Consider rebooking: Look for alternate routes or connections that might bypass heavily affected airports.
• Stay patient: While the airlines are doing their best to accommodate passengers, long wait times are expected.
• Know your rights: In many cases, passengers are entitled to compensation, especially for long delays or cancellations.
• Arrive early: If you are rebooked, ensure you arrive earlier than usual to allow enough time for check-in and security.

Conclusion: Navigating the Disruptions

The widespread flight cancellations and delays have significantly affected travelers in Asia, leaving passengers to cope with long waits and frustrating disruptions. While airlines are working to resolve the situation, it is important for travelers to stay updated and flexible, knowing that rebooking options may be limited. By staying informed, proactive, and patient, passengers can better manage the impacts of these disruptions and ensure smoother travel experiences.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware