Monday, July 21, 2025
Storms and heavy rain have brought chaos to Asia’s major airports. Indonesia joins China, Japan and Hong Kong in facing blanket cancellations to all flights in and out of Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta, Hong Kong International and Beijing Capital. Airlines such as Batik Air, Lion Air and Garuda Indonesia are reporting major delays as the storms disrupt travel times.
Airport Disruptions:
Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta International Airport:
Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the busiest in Indonesia, faced massive disruptions today, recording 317 delays and 17 cancellations. These delays were caused by heavy rainfall, thick fog, and low visibility. The weather-related challenges disrupted flights during the busiest hours of the day, especially in the afternoon. Travelers faced long waits and congestion as aircraft were held on the tarmac for extended periods.
Ngurah Rai/Bali International Airport:
Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport recorded 127 delays but no cancellations. Heavy rain, mist, and reduced visibility caused significant operational inefficiencies. While no cancellations were reported, the delays affected both ground services and flight movements. The tropical storm-like conditions slowed taxiing and delayed departures, especially during peak hours when air traffic was busiest.
Juanda International Airport:
Juanda International Airport in Surabaya reported 109 delays and 9 cancellations. The disruptions were due to low visibility, rain, and wet runway conditions. These weather issues affected both domestic and regional flights, particularly during the afternoon, when visibility was at its worst. The rainy conditions slowed aircraft movement, contributing to congestion and delays at the airport.
Kuala Namu International Airport:
Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan recorded 43 delays with no cancellations. Rain and low visibility were the primary causes of the delays. While not as severe as other airports, the operational slowdown was noticeable, particularly during the morning and evening hours when visibility was poor. The rain slowed aircraft movement and delayed taxiing, increasing wait times for passengers.
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport:
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar recorded 171 delays and 7 cancellations. Rain, thunderstorms, and low visibility led to significant disruptions throughout the day. These weather conditions caused delays in aircraft departures and arrivals, particularly in the afternoon when the weather was at its worst.
Beijing Capital International Airport:
Beijing Capital International Airport faced 274 delays and 13 cancellations. Severe weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and low visibility, caused disruptions to both domestic and international flights. Passengers experienced long wait times as many flights were held on the tarmac due to reduced runway throughput.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport experienced 412 delays and 10 cancellations. Persistent rain, fog, and low cloud cover created major challenges for flight operations, causing significant delays throughout the day, particularly during peak hours. Slower taxiing and departure procedures further exacerbated the disruptions.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport saw 640 delays and 2 cancellations due to continuous rain and low clouds. The weather slowed aircraft movements and created operational congestion at the airport, leading to extended wait times for passengers.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport reported 181 delays and 4 cancellations. Weather-related disruptions, including rain and reduced visibility, caused delays in both domestic and international flights. The poor weather conditions reduced runway throughput, leading to delays during peak travel times.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport:
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, located in southern China, recorded 646 delays and 7 cancellations. Persistent rain and low visibility caused significant disruptions to flight schedules. The rain and poor visibility slowed aircraft movements, and passengers faced long delays, especially during the late afternoon.
Hong Kong International Airport:
Hong Kong International Airport reported 344 delays and 1 cancellation. The weather, including heavy rain, fog, and low visibility, slowed aircraft movements, particularly during high-traffic periods. Ground services were slowed by the adverse weather, leading to extended wait times for passengers.
Narita International Airport:
At Narita International Airport in Tokyo, 117 delays and 5 cancellations were recorded. Disruptions were caused by fog, rain, and low cloud cover, which reduced visibility on the runway. While the weather conditions were not as severe as at other airports, delays were still noticeable, especially during the morning and evening hours.
Kansai International Airport:
Kansai International Airport in Osaka recorded 141 delays and 1 cancellation. The disruptions were caused by rain and low cloud cover, which affected the efficiency of flight operations. These weather conditions led to slower aircraft movements and caused congestion, particularly in the afternoon when weather conditions were at their worst.
Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair):
Chubu Centrair International Airport, located in Nagoya, recorded 31 delays but no cancellations. Weather disruptions, including rain and low visibility, caused delays in aircraft movement. Passengers experienced slower-than-usual taxiing and departure procedures, particularly in the morning when visibility was at its lowest.
New Chitose Airport:
New Chitose Airport, serving Sapporo, reported 57 delays and no cancellations. Heavy rain, mist, and reduced visibility caused delays in aircraft movements. While no cancellations occurred, the weather conditions affected both ground services and flight scheduling, especially during the morning and evening hours when visibility was the poorest.
Tokyo International Airport (Haneda):
Tokyo Haneda Airport faced 192 delays and 5 cancellations. The weather, including fog and rain, significantly impacted operations at the airport. Reduced visibility caused slower aircraft movements, and passengers faced extended waiting times due to weather-induced disruptions. Delays were especially prominent in the morning and evening hours, when visibility was at its lowest.
Comprehensive Overview of Flight Disruptions at Key Airports Today
Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta International Airport:
- Total Delays: 317
- Total Cancellations: 17
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- Batik Air: 83 delays (45%) and 13 cancellations (7%)
- Malindo Air: 4 delays (28%) and 4 cancellations (28%)
- Lion Air: 62 delays (44%)
- Garuda Indonesia: 55 delays (27%)
- Super Air Jet: 49 delays (31%)
- Citilink: 22 delays (20%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Ngurah Rai/Bali International Airport:
- Total Delays: 127
- Total Cancellations: 0
Delayed Flights Breakdown:
- Batik Air: 9 delays (47%)
- Lion Air: 24 delays (55%)
- Super Air Jet: 13 delays (54%)
- Jetstar: 7 delays (22%)
- Other airlines: Various delays
Juanda International Airport:
- Total Delays: 109
- Total Cancellations: 9
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- Batik Air: 20 delays (37%) and 9 cancellations (16%)
- Lion Air: 62 delays (55%)
- Super Air Jet: 8 delays (23%)
- Garuda Indonesia: 4 delays (14%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Kuala Namu International Airport:
- Total Delays: 43
- Total Cancellations: 0
Delayed Flights Breakdown:
- Lion Air: 11 delays (35%)
- AirAsia: 8 delays (66%)
- Super Air Jet: 7 delays (69%)
- Other airlines: Various delays
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport:
- Total Delays: 171
- Total Cancellations: 7
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- Lion Air: 110 delays (63%) and 7 cancellations (9%)
- Batik Air: 34 delays (47%)
- Garuda Indonesia: 7 delays (43%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Beijing Capital International Airport:
- Total Delays: 274
- Total Cancellations: 13
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- Air China: 151 delays (19%) and 4 cancellations (0%)
- Shandong Airlines: 19 delays (47%) and 4 cancellations (10%)
- China Eastern: 44 delays (24%)
- China Southern: 50 delays (44%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
- Total Delays: 412
- Total Cancellations: 10
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- China Eastern: 108 delays (24%)
- Spring Airlines: 33 delays (24%) and 10 cancellations (100%)
- Shandong Airlines: 33 delays (30%)
- Air China: 26 delays (18%)
- China Southern: 50 delays (31%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport:
- Total Delays: 640
- Total Cancellations: 2
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- China Southern Airlines: 275 delays (36%)
- China Eastern Airlines: 75 delays (53%)
- Shandong Airlines: 9 delays (75%)
- Air China: 31 delays (47%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport:
- Total Delays: 181
- Total Cancellations: 4
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- Air China: 54 delays (25%)
- China Eastern: 11 delays (24%)
- Sichuan Airlines: 54 delays (32%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport:
- Total Delays: 646
- Total Cancellations: 7
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- China Southern Airlines: 275 delays (36%)
- Shenzhen Airlines: 167 delays (48%)
- Hainan Airlines: 53 delays (49%)
- China Eastern Airlines: 50 delays (75%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Hong Kong International Airport:
- Total Delays: 344
- Total Cancellations: 1
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- Cathay Pacific: 135 delays (36%)
- China Southern Airlines: 8 delays (42%)
- Air China: 44 delays (43%)
- Hong Kong Airlines: 31 delays (37%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
Narita International Airport:
- Total Delays: 117
- Total Cancellations: 0
Delayed Flights Breakdown:
- All Nippon: 71 delays (17%)
- Japan Airlines: 55 delays (12%)
- Cathay Pacific: 35 delays (50%)
- Other airlines: Various delays
Kansai International Airport:
- Total Delays: 141
- Total Cancellations: 1
Delayed and Cancelled Flights Breakdown:
- All Nippon: 9 delays (45%)
- China Southern Airlines: 7 delays (41%)
- Cathay Pacific: 6 delays (50%)
- Other airlines: Various delays and cancellations
And many more airports were also affected by the massive weather disruptions across the region.
Travel Advice:
Travelers advised to monitor flight status as severe weather within Indonesian airports and throughout Asia has increasingly impacted air travel. Some airports, including Jakarta and Bali, have dodged cancellations but are experiencing widespread delays. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, and check with airlines for real-time updates in case schedules change.
