ASIA — An intense bout of severe weather—including thunderstorms, torrential rain, and low visibility—has triggered a crisis across Asia’s aviation network. As of July 2025, over 700 flights have been cancelled, while hundreds more were delayed, affecting millions of passengers across major hubs in China, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia. Leading carriers such as Air Japan, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Saudia, and United Airlines were among the hardest hit, with cascading disruptions impacting international and domestic travel.
The chaotic scene played out across 12 of Asia’s busiest airports, including Hong Kong International Airport, Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, and Shenzhen Bao’an. The widespread nature of the event has renewed calls for greater resilience in Asia’s air traffic systems amid growing climate-related travel disruptions.
Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen Among Most Affected
At Hong Kong International Airport, 273 flights were cancelled and 423 delayed, with Cathay Pacific cancelling 46% of its operations on a single day. U.S.-bound flights were not spared, with 10 cancellations and 16 delays recorded.
In Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, flight activity nearly came to a halt, with 91% of China Eastern Airlines’ flights cancelled. Budget carriers like Spring Airlines also faced substantial operational failures due to a combination of adverse weather and restricted airspace.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport, a vital East Asian international gateway, logged 390 delays and 56 cancellations, disrupting long-haul routes for Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and China Eastern.
Regional Flight Disruption Overview:
| Airport | Delays | Cancellations |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Intl | 423 | 273 |
| Shenzhen Bao’an Intl | 239 | 215 |
| Shanghai Pudong Intl | 390 | 56 |
| Kunming Changshui Intl | 350 | 28 |
| Beijing Capital Intl | 246 | 41 |
| Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Intl | 294 | 25 |
| Shanghai Hongqiao Intl | 154 | 50 |
| Beijing Daxing Intl | 129 | 25 |
| Hangzhou Xiaoshan Intl | 245 | 23 |
| Nanjing Lukou Intl | 143 | 28 |
Airlines Grapple with Operational Chaos
According to industry sources, top Asian and global carriers faced logistical nightmares. China Eastern alone reported over 400 delays and more than 60 cancellations. While Singapore Airlines was forced to cancel multiple long-haul flights, United Airlines, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific also suffered from network-wide disruptions. The ripple effect spread to partner airlines and codeshare routes, compounding delays across multiple continents.
| Airline | Estimated Delays | Estimated Cancellations |
|---|---|---|
| China Eastern | 400+ | 60+ |
| Singapore Airlines | 30+ | Several |
| Emirates | 10+ | 2+ |
| Cathay Pacific | 15+ | 1–2 |
| AirAsia | 12+ | A few |
| United Airlines | 10+ | 1–2 |
| Air China | 130+ | 0 |
| Korean Air | 5+ | 2 |
Airports were overwhelmed with stranded passengers. At Guangzhou Baiyun and Shanghai Pudong, social media users posted scenes of overcrowded terminals and chaotic rebooking queues. In several cases, passengers were stuck on tarmacs for hours due to unavailable gates and limited ground personnel.
Underlying Challenges: Weather and Systemic Pressure
While extreme weather was the immediate cause, aviation experts noted deeper structural challenges that intensified the impact. Asia’s airports are increasingly saturated due to rising travel demand, especially in post-pandemic 2025. Some of the core issues identified include:
- Airspace saturation, forcing prolonged holding patterns
- Staff shortages in air traffic control and ground services
- Insufficient runway capacity at mega-hubs like Pudong and Shenzhen
- Slow baggage handling and refueling delays
Aviation analyst Marcus Wu noted, “The storms were a trigger, but what we’re really seeing is the fragility of an overloaded system during peak summer travel.”
Airlines Respond with Travel Advisories and Waivers
Several airlines issued emergency travel advisories. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific waived rebooking fees and coordinated with partner carriers to reroute travelers. Emirates offered full refunds and free rescheduling options for passengers affected by weather delays across its Asia-Pacific network.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) also issued a statement urging airports to optimize traffic flow and expand weather response protocols. Discussions around updating regional air traffic systems and adding satellite-based navigation tools have resurfaced as priorities.
What Travelers Should Know
For those flying through Asia in the coming days, experts recommend proactive steps to navigate potential delays:
- Monitor flight status frequently via airline apps and airport websites
- Arrive early to account for extended security and check-in times
- Book flexible tickets and consider travel insurance that includes weather coverage
- Stay alert to regional weather bulletins, especially in southern China and Southeast Asia
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), climate-driven severe weather events are expected to become more frequent in Asia, increasing pressure on aviation systems during monsoon seasons.
A Wake-Up Call for Asia’s Aviation Infrastructure
As Asia’s aviation sector continues to grow—especially with booming demand in China, Southeast Asia, and India—the recent chaos underscores the need for robust infrastructure upgrades. Industry leaders are calling for:
- Enhanced radar-based weather forecasting
- Expansion of runway capacity at high-volume airports
- Deployment of AI-based air traffic management tools
- More passenger communication protocols during crises
If unaddressed, experts warn that such disruptions could become regular features during Asia’s wet seasons, affecting both regional tourism and global connectivity.
Conclusion
The mass cancellation of over 700 flights across Asia has highlighted a critical vulnerability in the region’s aviation ecosystem. While the severe weather was the catalyst, the broader issue lies in the region’s overstretched infrastructure and slow adaptation to climate realities. For now, airlines, airports, and travelers must prepare for prolonged disruptions and a new era where climate volatility increasingly defines the air travel experience in Asia.
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