Typhoon Noul Disrupts China Travel Network With 8,816 Delays and 2,152 Cancellations Across Major Airports: Here is What You Need to Know

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Typhoon Noul has disrupted China’s Travel Network, and here is what you need to know about the latest aviation crisis. The severe weather system has disrupted major airports across China, causing 8,816 delays and 2,152 cancellations across major airports. The Typhoon Noul disruption has affected the China Travel Network, forcing airlines and airports to manage thousands of operational changes. Here passengers need to understand the reasons behind the disruption and what steps they can take now. Major airports including Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao’an, Shanghai Pudong and Hong Kong reported significant delays and cancellations. Meanwhile, airlines such as China Eastern, China Southern Airlines, Air China and Cathay Pacific adjusted schedules due to challenging weather conditions. As the storm continues to impact regional aviation, travellers should monitor updates closely and prepare for possible changes to their journeys.

Why Is Typhoon Noul Causing Major Travel Disruptions in China?

The main reason behind the widespread flight disruption is the impact of Typhoon Noul, which has brought dangerous weather conditions across southern China and nearby regions. Strong winds, heavy rainfall and reduced visibility have created difficult operating conditions for airlines and airports.

Severe weather events can affect aviation in multiple ways. Aircraft require safer wind conditions for take-off and landing, while heavy rain can slow ground operations, baggage handling, aircraft servicing and airport movement. Airlines often delay or cancel services when weather conditions create safety concerns or when aircraft and crew rotations are disrupted.

The storm has also affected wider transport networks, adding pressure on passenger movement. The combination of airport restrictions, weather-related delays and airline schedule adjustments has created a chain reaction across China’s aviation system.

Which Chinese Airports Experienced the Biggest Flight Disruptions?

The disruption has been concentrated at some of China’s busiest airports, with major hubs reporting hundreds of delayed and cancelled flights.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport recorded the highest number of delays among the affected airports, with 681 delayed flights and 308 cancellations. As one of China’s largest aviation hubs, disruption in Guangzhou has created significant impacts for domestic and international passengers.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport reported 650 delays and 60 cancellations, affecting one of China’s most important international gateways. The airport’s role as a major long-haul connection point means operational problems can influence global travel routes.

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport experienced one of the most severe impacts in terms of cancellations, recording 455 delays and 409 cancelled flights. Shenzhen’s importance as a technology and business hub means the disruption has affected both leisure and corporate travellers.

Hong Kong International Airport, closely connected with mainland China’s aviation network, reported 404 delays and 281 cancellations. The airport’s disruption created additional challenges for passengers travelling between China and international destinations.

Other major airports affected included Beijing Capital International Airport, which recorded 307 delays and 85 cancellations, and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, which experienced 305 delays and 54 cancellations.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport reported 241 delays and 62 cancellations, while Xi’an Xianyang International Airport recorded 276 delays and 46 cancellations. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport experienced 315 delays and 51 cancellations, while Nanjing Lukou International Airport recorded 286 delays and 43 cancellations.

Additional airports facing significant disruption included Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport with 403 delays and 16 cancellations, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport with 264 delays and 15 cancellations, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport with 247 delays and 14 cancellations, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport with 203 delays and 48 cancellations, and Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport with 235 delays and 39 cancellations.

Regional airports, including Zhuhai International Airport, Haikou Meilan International Airport, Tianjin Binhai International Airport, Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, Hefei Xinqiao Airport and Guiyang Longdongbao Airport, also experienced operational disruption.

Outside mainland China, Macau International Airport recorded 76 delays and 10 cancellations, while Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport reported 219 delays and 22 cancellations, showing the wider regional impact of the weather system.

Which Airlines Were Most Affected by the China Travel Disruption?

The impact of Typhoon Noul spread across several major Chinese and regional airlines, affecting both full-service and low-cost carriers.

China Eastern recorded the highest number of airline delays, with 970 delayed flights and 177 cancellations. The airline’s extensive domestic network means disruption at major hubs quickly affects multiple routes.

China Southern Airlines recorded 889 delays and 404 cancellations, making it the airline with the highest number of cancelled flights in the affected period.

Air China reported 345 delays and 207 cancellations, while Cathay Pacific experienced 156 delays and 196 cancellations due to the impact on Hong Kong operations.

Other affected airlines included Shenzhen Airlines with 346 delays and 61 cancellations, Hainan Airlines with 260 delays and 44 cancellations, Spring Airlines with 179 delays and 71 cancellations, and XiamenAir with 322 delays and 26 cancellations.

Tianjin Airlines recorded 115 delays and 20 cancellations, while Sichuan Airlines experienced 261 delays and 7 cancellations. Shandong Airlines reported 307 delays and 5 cancellations, while Shanghai Airlines recorded 138 delays and 4 cancellations.

Regional carriers were also affected, including Hong Kong Express Airways with 60 delays and 25 cancellations, Hong Kong Airlines with 34 delays and 7 cancellations, China Airlines from Taiwan with 72 delays and 3 cancellations, EVA Air with 58 delays and 3 cancellations, and Air Macau with 35 delays and 3 cancellations.

How Are Chinese Cities and Travel Networks Being Impacted?

The disruption has affected several major Chinese cities that play important roles in tourism, business travel and international connectivity.

Guangzhou and Shenzhen have faced some of the strongest impacts because of their location in Guangdong province, which was among the regions closest to Typhoon Noul’s path. Airport disruptions in these cities have affected passengers travelling across China and overseas.

Shanghai has experienced major operational pressure due to disruption at both Pudong and Hongqiao airports. As one of Asia’s largest aviation centres, delays in Shanghai can create wider network problems.

Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xi’an and Chongqing have also experienced significant delays due to aircraft scheduling issues and wider network disruptions. Hong Kong’s position as a major international aviation hub has made it particularly vulnerable to weather-related operational challenges.

The disruption demonstrates how severe weather in one region can create delays across an interconnected aviation network.

What Can Passengers Affected by the Disruption Do Now?

Passengers affected by the disruption should take several immediate steps to reduce inconvenience.

• Travellers should check the latest flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport. Weather-related disruptions can change quickly, and flight schedules may be adjusted several times during recovery.
• Passengers should allow additional time for airport journeys, as transport services and road conditions may also experience delays during severe weather.
• Those facing cancellations should contact airlines for rebooking options or alternative travel arrangements. Keeping booking confirmations, identification documents and travel details ready can help speed up assistance.
• Passengers should also monitor official airport announcements because recovery operations may take time as airlines reposition aircraft, adjust crews and clear accumulated delays.

Data Verification Notice

The Data is extensively curated by me with figures derived from Flightaware dated 25 July 2026, 3:54 pm ET USA (1:24 PM IST)
Primary Source: Real-time data aggregated via FlightAware.
Verification Protocol: Statistics are cross-checked by our human editorial desk. Timestamped logs and feed snapshots are securely archived internally to maintain historical accuracy.
Note: Real-time tracking figures represent active airspace data and may experience minor variances from local airport terminal gates.
Travelers are advised to check respective airline and airports for more latest information and updates