Thousands of passengers across Asia faced severe travel disruption on May 25 as widespread operational pressure, extreme weather, and technical gridlocks caused major delays and cancellations across several countries.
Airports in China, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE reported heavy disruption, with a total of 491 flight cancellations and 6,404 delays recorded across key aviation hubs.
The disruption affected major airports including Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, New Delhi, Jakarta, Sharjah, Davao, Cebu, Riyadh, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Xi’an.
Airlines including China Eastern, China Express, Air China, China Southern, AirAsia, SpiceJet, FlyDubai, IndiGo, and XiamenAir were among the carriers impacted.
China Becomes the Main Center of Flight Disruption
China’s major aviation hubs experienced the heaviest operational pressure, with Shanghai emerging as the center of the crisis.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport recorded 70 cancellations and 773 delays, making it one of the worst-affected airports in the region.
Nearby Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport also faced serious disruption, with 18 cancellations and 462 delays.
Together, the two Shanghai airports accounted for nearly 1,200 delayed flights, creating widespread congestion across eastern China’s aviation network.
Other major Chinese airports also reported large disruption totals. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport saw 12 cancellations and 578 delays, while Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport recorded 7 cancellations and 489 delays.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport reported 11 cancellations and 389 delays, adding further strain to southern China’s air traffic system.
Other Chinese Airports Face Major Backlogs
The disruption also affected several inland and regional airports. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport reported 29 cancellations and 183 delays, while Wuhan Tianhe Airport recorded 17 cancellations and 126 delays.
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport saw 16 cancellations and 110 delays, and Kunming Changshui International Airport reported 12 cancellations and 145 delays.
Even smaller airports such as Hotan, Guyuan Liupanshan, and Qiemo were affected, showing how far the disruption spread beyond major cities.
India, Indonesia and Philippines Also Hit
The impact was not limited to China. In India, Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi reported 2 cancellations and 112 delays, while Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport saw 2 cancellations and 41 delays.
In Indonesia, Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport recorded 12 cancellations and 144 delays, affecting both domestic and international passengers.
The Philippines also experienced disruption, with Mactan-Cebu International Airport reporting 8 cancellations and 58 delays.
Davao’s Francisco Bangoy International Airport recorded 6 cancellations and 15 delays, creating difficulties for regional travelers.
Middle East Transit Hubs Feel Ripple Effects
The disruption also reached Middle Eastern transit points. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reported 5 cancellations and 70 delays, while Sharjah International Airport saw 3 cancellations and 20 delays.
These delays added pressure to passengers connecting between Asia, the Gulf, and other international destinations.
Airlines Most Affected by Asia Flight Disruptions
China Eastern faced the heaviest airline impact, recording 105 cancellations and 785 delays. Shanghai Airlines also reported 29 cancellations and 147 delays, reflecting the severe disruption around Shanghai.
China Express Airlines recorded 37 cancellations and 109 delays, while Air China saw 17 cancellations and 313 delays. China Southern Airlines had only 2 cancellations but faced a large total of 503 delays.
Among international and budget carriers, IndiGo recorded 254 delays and 4 cancellations, SpiceJet reported 5 cancellations and 45 delays, and AirAsia faced 162 delays and 2 cancellations.
What Passengers Should Do Now
Travelers affected by Asia flight cancellations today should check airline apps, airport websites, and official notifications before heading to the airport. Passengers should use digital rebooking tools where available, keep travel documents ready, and request written proof of cancellation or delay for insurance claims.
Those facing overnight delays should contact airlines directly about meal vouchers, hotel accommodation, refunds, and alternate routing.
Conclusion
Asia’s aviation network faced major disruption as 491 flights were cancelled and 6,404 delayed across key airports in China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Shanghai Pudong recorded the highest disruption total, while China Eastern, China Express, Air China, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and AirAsia were among the airlines most affected.
Passengers should continue monitoring real-time updates and remain flexible as airport congestion and airline schedule adjustments may continue throughout the day.
