Published on February 7, 2026
The aviation landscape in Asia has recently experienced a massive wave of disruptions, with numerous flight cancellations caused by extreme weather conditions. Major airlines such as Air China, Air India, Shenzhen Airlines, and Japan Airlines have grounded flights, resulting in significant travel delays and chaos across multiple countries. The ripple effects of these cancellations are not only being felt by the affected passengers but are also reverberating through local economies heavily dependent on tourism. Airports are overwhelmed with stranded passengers, and popular tourist destinations have seen a sharp decline in foot traffic. This article examines the far-reaching consequences of these disruptions, offering insights into the challenges faced by both travelers and the tourism industry, and provides tips on how to manage during such turbulent times.

Aviation Crisis: Airlines Struggle with Weather Chaos, Shattering Travel Plans Across Asia

Bad weather in Asia has left travelers stranded, frustrated, and uncertain about their next steps. Airlines like Air China, Air India, Shenzhen Airlines, and Japan Airlines have been forced to cancel numerous flights, impacting both domestic and international routes. The cancellations are part of a growing trend in the aviation sector, as severe weather patterns disrupt flight schedules, throwing the plans of thousands of passengers into disarray. With unpredictable storms and seasonal shifts affecting key airports, travelers are left in limbo, trying to rebook flights or find alternative modes of transportation.

The widespread cancellations not only disrupt holiday and business travel but also have a cascading impact on the tourism economy. Major airports, particularly in cities like Shanghai, Mumbai, Tokyo, and Shenzhen, are now struggling to manage the large number of affected passengers. This upheaval underscores the need for better preparation and communication between airlines, passengers, and local authorities.

Air China: Major Domestic and International Flights Hit Hard by Weather Conditions

Air China has found itself at the center of the storm, both figuratively and literally, as severe weather has caused the airline to ground multiple flights. Key domestic routes, such as Hangzhou to Chongqing and Hohhot to Ulanhot, have been particularly affected. Passengers traveling between these major Chinese cities were caught off guard as flights were either delayed or canceled, leaving many scrambling to make alternative travel plans.

Ident	Type	Origin	Destination	Scheduled Departure Time

CCA4578

B738

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH / ZSHC)

Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG / ZUCK)

Fri 08:20PM CST

CCA8169

909

Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH)

Ulanhot (HLH / ZBUL)

Sat 04:05PM CST

CCA8170

909

Ulanhot (HLH / ZBUL)

Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH)

Sat 07:00PM CST

Key Flight Cancellations (Air China)

• Hangzhou (HGH) to Chongqing (CKG) – Flight: CCA4578 (Fri 08:20 PM CST)
• Hohhot (HET) to Ulanhot (HLH) – Flight: CCA8169 (Sat 04:05 PM CST)
• Ulanhot (HLH) to Hohhot (HET) – Flight: CCA8170 (Sat 07:00 PM CST)

Airports Hit the Hardest (Air China)

• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) – A hub for international travelers, now overwhelmed with cancellations.
• Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) – One of China’s busiest, facing massive operational delays.
• Hohhot Baita International Airport (HET) – A crucial airport in Inner Mongolia, impacted by changing weather patterns.
• Ulanhot Airport (HLH) – Serving the northeastern region, now strained under the pressure of rerouted passengers.

Impacted Regions (Air China)

• Hangzhou to Chongqing: A critical business route disrupted by heavy storms.
• Hohhot to Ulanhot: A route essential for both domestic and cross-border travelers, now affected by unanticipated weather.

Air India: International and Domestic Connections Severely Disrupted

Advertisement

The story of Air India has also been one of turbulence, with flight cancellations affecting both its international network and domestic routes. Weather disruptions forced cancellations between Vienna and Mumbai, as well as on domestic flights connecting Mumbai to New Delhi and New Delhi to San Francisco. These routes are among the airline’s busiest, and the cancellations have created a ripple effect, disrupting travel plans for business, leisure, and even essential trips.

Ident	Type	Origin	Destination	Scheduled Departure Time

AIC180

B77W

Vienna Int’l (Schwechat) (VIE / LOWW)

Chatrapati Shivaji Int’l (BOM / VABB)

Fri 02:05PM CET

AIC179

B77W

Chatrapati Shivaji Int’l (BOM / VABB)

Indira Gandhi Int’l (DEL / VIDP)

Sat 08:10AM IST

AIC179

B77W

Indira Gandhi Int’l (DEL / VIDP)

San Francisco Int’l (KSFO)

Sat 12:40PM IST

Key Flight Cancellations (Air India)

• Vienna (VIE) to Mumbai (BOM) – Flight: AIC180 (Fri 02:05 PM CET)
• Mumbai (BOM) to New Delhi (DEL) – Flight: AIC179 (Sat 08:10 AM IST)
• New Delhi (DEL) to San Francisco (KSFO) – Flight: AIC179 (Sat 12:40 PM IST)

Airports Most Affected (Air India)

• Vienna International Airport (VIE) – A major European transit hub for Air India, now facing the brunt of cancellations.
• Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) – India’s primary gateway for international flights, overwhelmed by rebooked passengers.
• Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) – The nation’s busiest airport, where the flow of international and domestic flights has been halted.
• San Francisco International Airport (KSFO) – A crucial link between India and the United States, now disrupted by weather-induced delays.

Impacted Regions (Air India)

• Vienna to Mumbai: A key route for business travelers and tourists alike, now inaccessible due to weather disruptions.
• Mumbai to New Delhi: Critical for both corporate and leisure travelers, with flights suspended due to unexpected weather challenges.
• New Delhi to San Francisco: One of the longest international routes impacted by storms, creating havoc for passengers.

Shenzhen Airlines: Southern China Faces Flight Chaos

Shenzhen Airlines, operating from southern China, has faced weather-induced disruptions affecting its domestic routes. Flights between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport were severely delayed or canceled. This route, vital for business and leisure travelers, became a key point of congestion as passengers struggled to find alternative flights.

Ident	Type	Origin	Destination	Scheduled Departure Time
CSZ9522	A320	Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG / ZSPD)	Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX / ZGSZ)	Fri 07:20PM CST

Key Flight Cancellations (Shenzhen Airlines)

• Shanghai (PVG) to Shenzhen (SZX) – Flight: CSZ9522 (Fri 07:20 PM CST)

Airports Most Affected (Shenzhen Airlines)

• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) – A major international hub, now dealing with cancellations and long delays.
• Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) – A primary domestic and international gateway, now overwhelmed with stranded passengers.

Impacted Regions (Shenzhen Airlines)

• Shanghai to Shenzhen: A busy route, critical for connecting the financial and industrial hubs of China, now disrupted by bad weather.

Japan Airlines: Severe Weather Disruptions on Key Domestic Routes

Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan Airlines (JAL) also found itself grappling with severe weather, impacting several key domestic routes. Flights connecting Hanamaki to Osaka, as well as Tokyo to Izumo and vice versa, were canceled, affecting travelers heading for both business meetings and leisure vacations.

Ident	Type	Origin	Destination	Scheduled Departure Time

JAL2190

E170

Hanamaki (HNA / RJSI)

Osaka Int’l (Itami) (ITM / RJOO)

Fri 06:45PM JST

JAL287

B763

Tokyo Int’l (Haneda) (HND / RJTT)

Izumo (IZO / RJOC)

Sat 06:20PM JST

JAL276

B763

Izumo (IZO / RJOC)

Tokyo Int’l (Haneda) (HND / RJTT)

Sun 07:50AM JST

Key Flight Cancellations (Japan Airlines)

• Hanamaki (HNA) to Osaka (ITM) – Flight: JAL2190 (Fri 06:45 PM JST)
• Tokyo (HND) to Izumo (IZO) – Flight: JAL287 (Sat 06:20 PM JST)
• Izumo (IZO) to Tokyo (HND) – Flight: JAL276 (Sun 07:50 AM JST)

Airports Most Affected (Japan Airlines)

• Hanamaki Airport (HNA) – A regional hub serving the north of Japan, impacted by the weather disruptions.
• Osaka International Airport (ITM) – Serving the Kansai region, this airport now faces significant delays and cancellations.
• Tokyo International Airport (HND) – Japan’s primary international gateway, now overwhelmed with cancellations.
• Izumo Airport (IZO) – A small but vital airport in the Shimane region, now struggling with rerouted flights.

Impacted Regions (Japan Airlines)

• Hanamaki to Osaka: A major domestic route now disrupted by weather, affecting both business and leisure travelers.
• Tokyo to Izumo: A critical link for travelers moving between the capital and the western part of Japan.

Impact on Passengers: Navigating the Chaos and Uncertainty

For passengers, the experience has been nothing short of challenging. The cancellations have left thousands stranded, often with little to no options for immediate rebooking. Many passengers are being rebooked on later flights, while others have found themselves seeking alternate transportation options such as trains or buses. In some cases, accommodation had to be arranged at the last minute, causing additional strain on travelers’ already disrupted plans.

Advertisement
Advertisement
For those whose flights were delayed rather than canceled, the uncertainty of whether they would be able to reach their destinations in time has led to significant stress. The ripple effect of cancellations and delays can often feel like a never-ending cycle of frustration, further exacerbated by crowded terminals and long queues.

Local Tourism Struggles as Global Travelers Are Disrupted

The tourism industry in the affected regions is experiencing a sharp downturn due to these disruptions. With a sudden drop in both domestic and international air travel, local businesses—especially hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions—are feeling the impact. The loss of tourists has been felt most acutely in cities such as Shanghai, Mumbai, Tokyo, and Shenzhen, which rely heavily on inbound air travel for tourism revenue.
Local economies in these areas are struggling to cope with the sudden decline in foot traffic, and many businesses are bracing for a longer-term slowdown. Tourism boards are faced with the difficult task of managing this crisis while still promoting travel to their regions.

Future Outlook: Turning Setbacks Into Opportunities for the Aviation and Tourism Industry

While the recent flight cancellations have certainly been a setback, both the aviation and tourism industries have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons. Better weather preparedness, more efficient communication between airlines and airports, and enhanced real-time travel updates can help mitigate the effects of similar disruptions in the future.
The tourism industry can also bounce back by improving its resilience to unexpected disruptions, such as diversifying marketing efforts and providing flexible cancellation policies. By improving coordination between airlines, airports, and local governments, Asia’s aviation industry can emerge stronger, better equipped to handle the challenges that lie ahead.
In the end, despite the recent chaos, there is a silver lining. Asia’s tourism and aviation sectors have the potential to bounce back stronger. By learning from these disruptions and implementing more robust systems, the region can pave the way for a more resilient and dynamic travel landscape, ensuring that travelers’ dreams are not grounded by the unpredictability of weather.

Advertisement
Tags: air china, air india, asian airlines, Aviation industry, flight cancellations

I want to receive travel news and trade event updates from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World's Privacy Notice .
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Friday, February 6, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026

source