Published on
January 16, 2026
Travel chaos has gripped Asia as thousands of passengers find themselves stranded across key hubs in China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond. Major airlines such as Sichuan Airlines, VietJet Air, Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia, and China Southern have been forced to cancel 250 flights and delay over 2,600 others. The disruptions have left travelers stuck in airports from Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital to Tokyo Narita and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, creating a ripple effect that’s reverberating across Asia. With delays stretching for hours and flights canceled with little notice, frustrated passengers are facing an unprecedented air travel nightmare.
Unprecedented Flight Disruptions Across Key Airports
The airline disruptions are most pronounced in some of Asia’s busiest and most important airports, which are hubs for both domestic and international travel. With over 250 flight cancellations and 2,673 delays, the ripple effect of these travel setbacks has caused untold inconvenience for travelers, both regional and international.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
As one of the world’s busiest airports, Shanghai Pudong (PVG) has been at the heart of the chaos, with 109 cancellations and a staggering 663 delays. These delays have impacted flights to and from major global destinations like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Frankfurt, leaving passengers waiting in long lines for rebookings, reassignments, and accommodation assistance. Despite efforts from the airlines and airport staff to manage the situation, frustrated passengers have faced hours of uncertainty as flights continued to be delayed or canceled throughout the day.
Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK)
Moving south, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) was hit with 17 cancellations and 108 delays, disrupting crucial flights to destinations across Asia and beyond. Flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila were particularly affected. The delays in Jakarta have left passengers scrambling to rearrange their plans as the ripple effect of the cancellations spread to other regional airports, including those in Bali and Surabaya.
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Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
In Beijing Capital (PEK), another major hub for both business and leisure travelers, 9 cancellations and 150 delays led to huge bottlenecks at check-in counters and baggage claims. Both domestic and international travelers found themselves stuck at the airport as airlines like Sichuan Airlines and China Southern tried to manage rebookings in an already overbooked airspace.
Tokyo Narita and Haneda Airports
Japan’s efficiency in air travel came under pressure as Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda (HND) both experienced delays. 1 flight cancellation and 25 delays at each airport were felt by travelers flying to and from cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Osaka. Tokyo’s connection to international flights means that delays in these key airports affect passengers traveling across the globe.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
Thailand’s primary international gateway, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), was also hit hard, reporting 1 cancellation and 104 delays. This disrupted vital connections to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and beyond, leaving many passengers stranded or forced to adjust their travel plans. With Bangkok being a key transit point for Southeast Asia, the delays further complicated regional travel.
Severe Backlog at Airports in China
The impact of the airline chaos has been particularly severe at airports in China, where a combination of operational bottlenecks, overbooked flights, and weather conditions has disrupted schedules.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
In Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), 7 cancellations and 136 delays led to massive frustration. Travelers planning to fly to cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou were left with little choice but to wait at the airport for updates or seek alternate routes. Airlines like China Southern have struggled to cope with the overwhelming demand for rebooking and customer service assistance.
Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
At Xi’an Xianyang (XIY), 9 cancellations and 104 delays led to significant disruptions, especially for travelers hoping to connect to other cities in China or further abroad. The delays affected major international routes, with passengers rebooked onto alternate flights with little more than basic assistance from the airlines.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Similarly, Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), a vital gateway to Southern China, saw 5 cancellations and 136 delays. The disruptions stretched for hours, as flights bound for Singapore, Hong Kong, and other regional cities were delayed or canceled at the last minute.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)
Travelers at Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) also experienced 7 cancellations and 100 delays, a reflection of the wider impact on air traffic across Eastern China. With limited flights available, many passengers opted to find alternative routes, only to encounter similar issues at neighboring airports.
Southeast Asia: Batik Air and Garuda Indonesia Struggling
Both Batik Air and Garuda Indonesia, two major carriers serving Southeast Asia, have seen significant disruptions affecting both domestic and international routes.
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG)
Sultan Hasanuddin (UPG) in Makassar, Indonesia, reported 2 cancellations and 65 delays, impacting travelers hoping to reach Jakarta, Surabaya, and other major Indonesian cities. The delays stemmed from operational bottlenecks, which were further exacerbated by inclement weather conditions in the region.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
In Kota Kinabalu (BKI), Malaysia, which serves as a transit point for travelers heading to other Southeast Asian destinations, 1 cancellation and 40 delays caused ripples throughout the local travel network. The delays primarily affected flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
A Ripple Effect Across Regional Airports
Airports across the region continued to face flight cancellations and delays. Chengdu Shuangliu International (CTU), Qingdao Jiaodong International (TAO), and Chongqing Jiangbei International (CKG) saw their fair share of disruptions as well. For instance, Chengdu (CTU) reported 6 cancellations and 53 delays, leading to a backlog of passengers who were forced to reschedule their flights.
Other airports such as Tianjin Binhai (TSN), Changsha Huanghua (CSX), and Kunming Changshui (KMG) also saw small but significant disruptions in their flight schedules, leaving passengers stuck with limited rebooking options.
The Airlines: Navigating Through the Chaos
Airlines like Sichuan Airlines, VietJet, Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia, and China Southern have had to contend with a perfect storm of operational inefficiencies, adverse weather, and staffing shortages. While the airlines are doing their best to mitigate the crisis, passengers have reported long waits at customer service counters, lack of timely information, and limited flight options for rebooking.
The situation has led to heightened frustration as travelers are left scrambling for alternatives. Many have turned to social media, complaining about poor communication from the airlines and airports, as well as difficulties in securing refunds or hotel accommodations due to the overwhelming demand.
Conclusion: Navigating Through the Chaos
As Asia’s airports and airlines work to recover from this major disruption, thousands of passengers remain stranded, facing ongoing delays and cancellations. The ripple effect of these problems will likely be felt for days to come, with many travelers still unable to secure alternate flights.
Passengers are advised to stay in touch with their airlines for the latest updates on their flights, be prepared for long delays, and consider alternative routes if possible. Airlines are working hard to manage the situation, but it will take time for the air travel system to return to normal. Travelers should remain patient as the airlines and airports resolve this crisis, but for many, it’s been a stressful and frustrating experience.
Source: Different airports and FlightAware
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