Travel Nightmare Hits Asia as Major Airlines Like Air China, Sichuan, Hainan, Garuda, Hong Kong, VietJet Air, and Others Face 887 Delays and 42 Cancellations, Stranding Thousands in Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Singapore, Sibu, Taipei, and More

Published on December 30, 2025

In a severe blow to travelers across Asia, a wave of flight disruptions has caused widespread chaos, leaving passengers stranded at airports in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Singapore, Sibu, and Taipei. The latest reports indicate that airlines including Air China, Sichuan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Hong Kong Airlines, VietJet Air, and others have been at the heart of this massive travel nightmare. With 887 delays and 42 cancellations recorded across multiple major airports in the region, the situation has left thousands of passengers in a state of confusion and frustration.

These disruptions have affected key air hubs in Asia, such as Beijing Capital International, Shanghai Hongqiao, Hong Kong, Singapore Changi, and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, with significant delays and cancellations bringing major travel routes to a halt.

Massive Disruptions Across Key Asian Airports

The recent flight disruptions have highlighted the fragile state of travel in Asia amidst ongoing logistical challenges faced by several major airlines. The worst-hit airports include:

1. Beijing Capital International (PEK)
   • Cancellations: 3
   • Delays: 71
     The busiest airport in China, Beijing Capital, was significantly impacted, with 71 delays and 3 cancellations. Passengers were forced to wait for extended periods, with many flights being rescheduled or diverted. The cancellations disrupted several key international and domestic connections.
2. Chengdu Tianfu International (TFU)
   • Cancellations: 3
   • Delays: 91
     Chengdu Tianfu saw a high number of delays, with 91 flights delayed and 3 canceled. The chaos affected both domestic and international routes, leaving passengers stranded for hours. The delays caused significant disruptions for passengers trying to board flights to and from popular destinations across Asia.
3. Chengdu Shuangliu International (CTU)
   • Cancellations: 3
   • Delays: 45
     Chengdu’s other main airport, Shuangliu, also faced cancellations and delays. The 45 delays further compounded the frustration for passengers traveling to key destinations across China and beyond.
4. Sultan Hasanuddin International (UPG)
   • Cancellations: 9
   • Delays: 42
     Located in Makassar, Indonesia, Sultan Hasanuddin International experienced a significant number of cancellations and delays, affecting travelers in the region. With 9 flights canceled and 42 delayed, passengers were left stranded, and airlines scrambled to accommodate affected travelers.
5. Hong Kong International (HKG)
   • Cancellations: 1
   • Delays: 154
     Hong Kong International, a major hub for international flights, faced severe delays, with 154 flights delayed and only one canceled. This caused significant congestion at one of the world’s busiest airports, with travelers stranded at the gates and frustrated by the lack of timely updates.
6. Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA)
   • Cancellations: 1
   • Delays: 105
     Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport, another critical gateway for both domestic and international flights, saw over 100 delays, with only one cancellation. Passengers were left in limbo, struggling to get updated on flight statuses.
7. Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International (CGK)
   • Cancellations: 3
   • Delays: 116
     Jakarta’s main airport, Soekarno-Hatta, was one of the hardest-hit airports, with 116 delays and 3 cancellations. The delays were exacerbated by the lack of available information, leaving passengers scrambling for answers on their flight statuses.
8. Singapore Changi International (SIN)
   • Cancellations: 1
   • Delays: 97
     Singapore Changi Airport, one of the world’s most renowned airports, was not spared from the chaos. Although the cancellations were limited to one flight, the 97 delays created a bottleneck for passengers, with travelers unable to access timely updates on their rescheduled flights.
9. Sibu Airport (SBW)
   • Cancellations: 2
   • Delays: 9
     Located in Malaysia, Sibu Airport faced more manageable disruptions, with only 9 delays and 2 cancellations. While the delays weren’t as extensive, they still created an uncomfortable experience for passengers.
10. Taipei Songshan International (TSA)
    • Cancellations: 5
    • Delays: 12
      Taipei’s Songshan International also had a rough day, with 12 delays and 5 cancellations. The delays disrupted flights heading both to mainland China and other parts of Asia, causing considerable inconvenience.

Other Affected Airports and Airlines

Several other airports across Asia saw disruptions, contributing to the overall chaos. Kota Kinabalu International (BKI) and Kaohsiung International (KHH) each faced one cancellation and multiple delays. Sentani (DJJ), a smaller airport in Indonesia, had one canceled flight and delays affecting both local and regional services. Additionally, smaller regional hubs like Mutiara (PLW), Haluoleo (KDI), and Kuching International (KCH) all experienced moderate delays and cancellations, further compounding the travel nightmare for passengers in Southeast Asia.

The airlines involved, including Air China, Sichuan, Hainan, Garuda, and VietJet, struggled with a combination of operational issues, including staffing shortages, weather disruptions, and technical failures. These airlines were unable to handle the surge in passenger traffic during peak travel hours, leading to the delays and cancellations that have stranded thousands of passengers.

What Passengers Can Do

For passengers affected by the delays, it is recommended to stay updated through their airline’s official channels, either via the airport’s announcement systems or the airline’s mobile app. Travelers are also advised to check their travel insurance policies for coverage regarding cancellations and delays. Booking alternative flights or securing overnight accommodations at the airport may also be an option if the disruptions continue for an extended period.

In the long term, the travel industry must take a hard look at the operational challenges airlines are facing. Better communication strategies, improved contingency planning, and investment in infrastructure will be key to preventing similar widespread disruptions in the future.

Conclusion

The travel nightmare unfolding across Asia has highlighted significant challenges faced by major airlines and airports in the region. As delays and cancellations continue to plague travelers in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Singapore, Sibu, and Taipei, airlines like Air China, Sichuan, Garuda, and VietJet are under intense scrutiny. With 887 delays and 42 cancellations across multiple airports, passengers have found themselves stranded, struggling with limited information and uncertain travel schedules. While the immediate effects of these disruptions are being felt by thousands, the long-term impact on the travel industry could be far-reaching.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware