Published on
October 27, 2025
A wave of China flight cancellations has caused widespread travel disruption this week, with 54 departures scrapped across the country’s busiest hubs — Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. The sudden disruptions have affected both domestic and international routes, stranding passengers and putting pressure on airlines already dealing with heavy demand and tight schedules.
The affected destinations include major cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Wenzhou, Haikou, Nanjing, and Kunming, as well as international destinations like Amsterdam and Barcelona.
Beijing Experiences the Largest Impact
The capital city faced the brunt of the cancellations, particularly at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).
At Beijing Capital International, multiple flights operated by Air China were grounded. The cancellations included routes to:
- Shenzhen Bao’an International (SZX)
- Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA)
- Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN)
- Changsha Huanghua International (CSX)
- Chengdu Shuangliu International (CTU)
Other affected destinations included Mianyang, Dazhou, Hefei, and Yancheng, showing that the cancellations were not limited to major city routes. Aircraft involved in these flights included Boeing 737s, Boeing 777s, and Airbus A321s.
Meanwhile, at Beijing Daxing International, cancellations also affected travelers heading to southern and western regions. Flights to Shenzhen, Haikou, Wenzhou, Xi’an, and Chongqing were among those canceled. Major carriers like China Eastern (CES), Air China (CCA), and China Southern (CSN) were responsible for these changes.
Notably canceled flights included:
- CES6661 bound for Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- CCA8674 headed to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
- CES6959 to Haikou Meilan International Airport
These widespread adjustments suggest significant scheduling issues at one of China’s main aviation centers.
Cancellations Ripple Across Shenzhen and Shanghai
The Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) also reported a high number of canceled flights, primarily affecting routes to major cities in eastern and northern China.
Airlines such as Air China, China Southern, and Shenzhen Airlines canceled flights bound for:
- Beijing Capital International (PEK)
- Xi’an Xianyang International (XIY)
- Nanjing Lukou International (NKG)
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)
- Taiyuan Wusu International (TYN)
Several flights to Nanjing and Hangzhou were canceled multiple times, suggesting congestion or technical challenges along those corridors.
At Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), both domestic and international routes were hit by flight disruptions. Affected flights included:
- KLM896 to Amsterdam Schiphol
- CES249 to Barcelona International Airport
- CHH7322 to Sanya Phoenix International Airport
- CSZ9522 to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- CSH9511 to Zhuhai International Airport
The cancellations impacted popular leisure and business routes, adding pressure on travelers at one of China’s busiest global gateways.
Western and Southern Hubs Report Similar Issues
In Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), seven flights were grounded, affecting connections across western and northern China. Air China and China Southern were again the most affected carriers.
Cancellations included:
- CCA4201 to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport
- CCA4045 to Tianjin Binhai International Airport
- CCA1426 to Beijing Capital International Airport
- CSN3444 to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
At Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), at least five major departures were scrapped. The affected flights included:
- CHH7806 and CCA1330 to Beijing Capital International Airport
- CSZ9865 to Nanjing Lukou International Airport
- CSN3493 to Kunming Changshui International Airport
- CSZ9821 to Wuxi
These cancellations created ripple effects for connecting flights across southern China, particularly along the Guangzhou–Beijing route, one of the busiest in the nation.
Summary of Flight Cancellations
| Airport | No. of Cancelled Flights | Major Destinations Affected | Main Airlines Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital International (PEK) | 11 | Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Changsha, Chengdu, Mianyang, Hefei | Air China, Hainan Airlines |
| Beijing Daxing International (PKX) | 12 | Shenzhen, Xi’an, Haikou, Wenzhou, Chongqing | China Eastern, Air China, China Southern |
| Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) | 9 | Amsterdam, Barcelona, Sanya, Shenzhen, Zhuhai | China Eastern, KLM, Spring Airlines |
| Shenzhen Bao’an International (SZX) | 13 | Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Taiyuan, Xi’an | Air China, China Southern, Shenzhen Airlines |
| Chengdu Shuangliu International (CTU) | 7 | Urumqi, Tianjin, Beijing, Guangzhou | Air China, Tibet Airlines, China Southern |
| Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN) | 5 | Beijing, Nanjing, Kunming, Wuxi | Air China, China Southern, Shenzhen Airlines |
Total cancellations: 54 flights
Impact on Passengers and Travel Demand
These China flight cancellations come at a time when domestic travel demand has surged, with business and leisure passengers filling up major routes ahead of the winter season. The disruptions are not just inconveniences; they could also:
- Increase passenger load on unaffected routes
- Cause fare spikes due to limited seat availability
- Delay cargo and supply chain operations dependent on air transport
Travelers departing from or connecting through Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, or Chengdu are advised to stay updated with airline notifications and check for possible rebooking options.
What’s Behind the Widespread Disruptions
While no official explanation has been released, several operational factors could be at play. Aviation experts point to a combination of air traffic control restrictions, technical maintenance backlogs, and unfavorable weather conditions across certain regions.
The overlapping cancellations on identical routes—particularly between Beijing and Shenzhen or Shanghai and Hangzhou—may also point to scheduling constraints and fleet rotation issues among the country’s largest airlines.
Strain on China’s Aviation Network
The current wave of cancellations exposes how delicate the balance of air operations remains across China’s aviation network. While travel has rebounded strongly since pandemic restrictions eased, airlines continue to face challenges in coordinating flight schedules across heavily trafficked air corridors.
As weather conditions grow more unpredictable during the winter months and airport traffic increases, these operational strains could intensify.
Authorities and airlines are expected to take additional measures to stabilize schedules, minimize last-minute cancellations, and strengthen communication with travelers to ensure smoother operations.
Conclusion
The mass wave of China flight cancellations across Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Chengdu reflects the complex pressures facing the country’s aviation industry. As airlines work to stabilize operations, passengers remain at the receiving end of an unpredictable travel season marked by delays, rescheduling, and disruptions.
Despite these setbacks, experts remain optimistic that the aviation sector will gradually regain consistency through improved logistics, better coordination between airports, and enhanced fleet management strategies—ensuring smoother skies ahead for travelers across China.
