Published on
March 24, 2026
Image generated with Ai
Thousands of passengers were grounded across Asia as Japan, India, Thailand, Qatar, the UAE, and other countries saw a massive disruption in air travel. A total of 244 flights were cancelled and 2,396 delayed, affecting major airlines like Air China, Air India, Batik Air, and Emirates. The cancellations and delays, caused by a mix of operational challenges, staffing shortages, and unpredictable weather, severely impacted key international airports in cities such as Beijing, Mumbai, Bangkok, and Dubai. This widespread chaos left travellers stranded, with limited options for rebooking and long waiting times, illustrating the deepening ripple effects of the aviation turmoil.
In what has become a major headache for international travellers, thousands of passengers across Asia have found themselves stranded as widespread flight cancellations and delays disrupt air travel. A total of 244 flights were cancelled and 2,396 others were delayed, affecting a wide range of countries including Japan, India, Thailand, Qatar, and the UAE, along with airlines such as Air China, Air India, Batik Air, and Emirates.
The severe disruption has created chaos at airports from Beijing to Dubai, with major hubs like Tokyo, Mumbai, and Bangkok seeing flight operations severely impacted. While some airlines have managed to resume services, the ripple effect of cancellations and delays continues to be felt across the region. This article dives deep into the full impact of the chaos, breaking down the airline cancellations and delays, affected airports, and the countries impacted by these disruptions.
Airlines Affected by Cancellations and Delays
The following table outlines the airlines that were hit the hardest by these disruptions, with their corresponding number of cancellations and delays.
| Airline | Cancelled Flights (#) | Cancelled (%) | Delayed Flights (#) | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Air | 101 | 61% | 4 | 2% |
| El Al | 34 | 18% | 13 | 7% |
| Qatar Airways | 32 | 7% | 20 | 4% |
| China Express Airlines | 15 | 3% | 121 | 29% |
| IndiGo | 11 | 0% | 418 | 19% |
| Air China | 11 | 0% | 312 | 17% |
| SpiceJet | 11 | 6% | 84 | 46% |
| Chengdu Airlines | 9 | 2% | 84 | 24% |
| Batik Air | 9 | 2% | 78 | 25% |
| Emirates | 8 | 2% | 104 | 28% |
| Shandong Airlines | 7 | 1% | 154 | 27% |
| UNI Air | 7 | 6% | 8 | 7% |
| China Southern Airlines | 6 | 0% | 420 | 17% |
| Saudia | 6 | 1% | 217 | 37% |
| Air India | 5 | 0% | 185 | 26% |
| Sichuan Airlines | 5 | 0% | 154 | 22% |
| Hainan Airlines | 5 | 0% | 113 | 14% |
| China Eastern | 5 | 0% | 394 | 17% |
| Shenzhen Airlines | 5 | 0% | 211 | 29% |
| Tianjin Airlines | 5 | 1% | 47 | 12% |
| 9 Air | 5 | 3% | 34 | 23% |
| Tibet Airlines | 4 | 2% | 47 | 23% |
| Malaysia Airlines | 4 | 1% | 32 | 10% |
| Uzbekistan Airways | 4 | 3% | 21 | 19% |
| Royal Jordanian | 3 | 2% | 28 | 24% |
| Jetstar Japan | 3 | 3% | 12 | 12% |
| Urumqi Air | 3 | 4% | 12 | 17% |
| Spring Airlines | 2 | 0% | 129 | 23% |
| Juneyao Airlines | 2 | 0% | 59 | 17% |
| Akasa Air | 2 | 1% | 41 | 22% |
| FlyDubai | 2 | 1% | 38 | 24% |
| Kuwait Airways | 2 | 2% | 1 | 1% |
| Beijing Capital Airlines | 1 | 0% | 78 | 26% |
| PAL Express | 1 | 0% | 33 | 15% |
| Lucky Air | 1 | 0% | 22 | 10% |
| Bangkok Airways | 1 | 0% | 21 | 14% |
Countries Hit the Hardest
This travel disruption has affected a wide range of countries, with Asia being the primary region impacted. The following countries have seen major disruptions in air travel:
- Japan: With the Tokyo area’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and other airports like Osaka’s Kansai Airport being hit by cancellations and delays, Japan saw disruptions to both international and domestic services.
- India: Airports like Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Chennai (MAA) faced significant cancellations and delays as a result of the chaos.
- Thailand: Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) was heavily affected, along with other smaller airports.
- Qatar: Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) reported cancellations and delays, significantly affecting Qatar Airways.
- UAE: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International (AUH) saw numerous delays, disrupting Emirates and FlyDubai operations.
- China: Multiple airports, including Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Beijing Capital (PEK), and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), faced delays that disrupted operations for Air China and other carriers.
- Saudi Arabia: Major airports such as King Khalid (RUH), King Abdulaziz (JED), and King Fahd (DMM) also saw disruptions, affecting Saudi Arabian airlines like Saudia.
- Israel: Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) reported a high number of cancellations due to the ongoing disruptions across Asia.
- Indonesia: Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) saw moderate delays and cancellations.
- Maldives: Male International Airport (MLE) also reported disruptions, though to a lesser extent.
- Kuwait: Kuwait International Airport (KWI) had cancellations impacting international flights.
Major Airports Affected by Cancellations and Delays
The following airports were the most affected by the disruptions, each experiencing flight cancellations and delays that caused significant chaos for passengers:
Advertisement
Advertisement
- Bahrain International Airport (BAH): 50 cancellations, 64% of flights affected.
- Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE): 9 cancellations, 4% of flights affected, with 150 delays (68%).
- Hohhot Baita International Airport (HET): 7 cancellations, 5% of flights affected.
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN): 3 cancellations, 3% of flights affected, with 150 delays (18%).
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL): 8 cancellations, 1% of flights affected, with 196 delays (25%).
- Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV): 23 cancellations, 16% of flights affected.
- Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport (BKK): 5 cancellations, 0% of flights affected, with 137 delays (23%).
- Dubai International Airport (DXB): 11 cancellations, 3% of flights affected, with 52 delays (17%).
- Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU): 4 cancellations, 0% of flights affected, with 105 delays (18%).
The Ripple Effect of Cancellations and Delays
The chain of cancellations and delays has had a ripple effect across multiple regions. Passengers flying into and out of these airports have faced lengthy wait times, missed connections, and overall travel frustration.
The cancellation and delay storm is a reminder of the vulnerability of air travel to disruptions. It also highlights the importance of real-time communication, not just between passengers and airlines, but also among governments and air traffic control agencies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
What Can Passengers Do?
For affected passengers, it’s crucial to remain informed. Here are a few steps you can take to mitigate the impact:
- Check for Updates: Always check the status of your flight before heading to the airport. Many airlines provide real-time updates through their apps or websites.
- Consider Alternative Routes: If you are travelling to a major airport, check for available flights to nearby airports. This might help you avoid delays.
- Understand Your Rights: Different countries have different regulations regarding flight cancellations and delays. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your rights before you travel.
As of now, the recovery from these massive disruptions continues, and it may take time before normal operations resume. The airlines and airports affected will likely have to reassess their scheduling and operational strategies to ensure that such disruptions are minimized in the future.
Thousands of passengers were grounded across Asia as Japan, India, Thailand, Qatar, UAE, and more cancelled 244 flights and delayed 2,396 due to operational challenges, severe weather, and staffing issues, disrupting major airlines like Air China, Air India, Batik Air, and Emirates in key airports such as Beijing, Mumbai, Bangkok, and Dubai.
Passengers are advised to stay patient and stay informed as these disruptions continue to unfold across Asia. With a strong focus on recovery and flexibility, the region will hopefully return to normal in the coming days.
