Taiwan’s Aviation Network Brought to a Standstill by Tropical Storm Danas, With 300 Flights Cancelled or Delayed
Taiwan’s airspace plunged into emergency mode over the weekend as Tropical Storm Danas swept across the island, causing extensive disruption to domestic and international flights. According to the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) and Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA), the storm triggered torrential rain, typhoon-strength winds, and lightning hazards that forced widespread suspensions at key airports including Taoyuan International, Songshan, Kaohsiung, Makung, and Kinmen.
By Sunday evening, nearly 300 flights were either cancelled or delayed, disrupting schedules for major global and regional airlines. The aviation impact was felt not only within Taiwan, but also across major regional hubs in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and even North America, as carriers struggled to reroute aircraft and rebook passengers.
Taoyuan International Airport: Taiwan’s Busiest Hub Experiences Heavy Delays
As Taiwan’s main international gateway, Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) bore the brunt of international disruption. A total of 135 flight delays and 4 cancellations were recorded, with major carriers including EVA Air (38 delays) and China Airlines (31 delays) hit the hardest.
Other affected airlines at Taoyuan included:
- Cathay Pacific: 6 delays
- Singapore Airlines: 2 delays
- Air China: 3 delays
- Delta Air Lines: 1 delay
- Malaysia Airlines: 2 delays
- Turkish Airlines: 1 delay
- Starlux Airlines: 10 delays
- AirAsia and subsidiaries: Multiple minor delays
- China Eastern: 2 delays and 4 cancellations
Many of these disruptions stemmed from inbound route suspensions or diversions affecting flights from Tokyo Narita, Seoul Incheon, Bangkok, and Shanghai Pudong.
Domestic Collapse at Songshan, Makung, and Kinmen Airports
Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), which primarily handles domestic and cross-strait flights, saw 29 cancellations, mostly affecting routes to Taiwan’s offshore islands. Airlines including Mandarin Airlines, UNI Air, and EVA Air suspended services to Penghu (Makung), Kinmen, and Matsu, citing safety concerns over low-visibility landings and crosswind risks.
Makung Airport (Penghu) had the highest single-airport cancellation tally with 39 flights cancelled. Similarly, Kinmen Airport saw 19 cancellations, effectively grounding all domestic flights for the weekend.
Kaohsiung Airport Sees Broad International and Domestic Impact
Southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) was significantly affected by the storm’s path, recording 30 cancellations and 15 delays. Disruptions included both domestic and regional international routes, with carriers such as:
- UNI Air: 11 cancellations
- Mandarin Airlines: 8 cancellations
- EVA Air: 6 cancellations, 4 delays
- Cathay Pacific: 2 cancellations, 2 delays
- Hong Kong Express and Tigerair Taiwan: Multiple suspensions
Several key international flights between Kaohsiung and Japan (Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa), South Korea (Gimpo), and Southeast Asia (Da Nang, Bangkok) were axed for safety reasons.
Airlines Under Pressure: The Most Affected Carriers
Data compiled from CAA and airport authorities revealed the following top five most affected airlines by total disruptions (delays + cancellations):
- EVA Air – 60 disruptions
- UNI Air – 45 disruptions
- Mandarin Airlines – 43 disruptions
- China Airlines – 36 disruptions
- Cathay Pacific – 10 disruptions
These carriers had to activate emergency crew scheduling, real-time aircraft repositioning, and rapid customer communications. Starlux Airlines, a new player in the premium segment, recorded 10 delays but no cancellations, highlighting its growing yet fragile regional footprint.
Civil Aeronautics Administration Responds Swiftly
Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) convened emergency sessions Saturday night and Sunday morning to coordinate a national response. Airlines were instructed to update flight statuses in real time, implement flexible rebooking policies, and prioritize passenger safety over schedule adherence.
The CAA’s online flight portal and mobile alerts became critical tools for passengers and media tracking delays, especially as ground transportation to and from airports was also affected by road flooding and suspended ferry services.
Tourist Fallout and Hotel Congestion
With hundreds of inbound travelers stranded, hotels near Taoyuan, Songshan, and Kaohsiung airports reported last-minute surges in occupancy. Local tourism operators, particularly in Penghu and Kinmen, noted widespread cancellations for group tours, weekend getaways, and local festivals.
Foreign tourists, including those from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and the U.S., faced extended layovers, rebooked connections, or entirely canceled travel plans. The Taiwan Tourism Bureau issued multilingual advisories urging travelers to check with their airlines and avoid unnecessary trips to affected airports.
What’s Next for Taiwan’s Aviation Network?
As Tropical Storm Danas moves away from the island, cleanup and schedule restoration efforts have begun. Airlines are gradually reinstating regular flight operations, but industry experts caution that delays will ripple into midweek schedules, especially for long-haul services.
The event serves as a reminder of the climate vulnerability of Taiwan’s island geography and the interconnectedness of Asia-Pacific’s air traffic system. With the typhoon season just beginning, airlines, airports, and travelers may face further disruptions in the months ahead.
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