China Eastern, Hainan, Shenzhen Airlines and Air China Amid New Travel Chaos with Eighty Cancellations, Abandoning Passengers across Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and more

On 19 September, 2025, a massive wave of flight cancellations and delays has struck China’s aviation industry, leaving passengers stranded across key airports. China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Air China—four of the country’s largest carriers—are at the heart of this chaos, impacting some of the busiest routes in the country. Major airports in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou are now struggling to manage the overwhelming number of affected passengers. According to FlightAware data, eighty flight cancellations and 1255 delays recorded, travelers between these major hubs are facing unexpected disruptions. From Shanghai to Beijing, Guangzhou to Shenzhen, no city seems immune. The ripple effect of these cancellations extends beyond just the airlines; it has shaken the operations of some of China’s busiest airports, leaving passengers with few options. Flights have been grounded, connections severed and schedules thrown into disarray. For many, what should have been a straightforward journey now feels like an ordeal with travel interruptions across Lincang, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Hefei, Ningbo, Zhanjiang, Zhuhai, Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Sanya, Chengdu, Xuzhou, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Tianjin, Xiangfan, Harbin, Haikou, Penglai, Nantong, Shaoyang, Quanzhou and Tianfu.

The recent disruptions caused by China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Air China have resulted in a significant number of canceled flights, affecting passengers across multiple major cities and routes. A total of 80 flights have been canceled, with each airline facing severe impacts on their schedules.

China Eastern Airlines accounted for 20 flight cancellations, primarily affecting domestic routes. These cancellations included flights between key hubs such as Shanghai (both Pudong International and Hongqiao), Wuhan, Shenzhen and Xi’an, with notable flights like CES9749 from Lincang to Chengdu Tianfu International and CES9013 from Shanghai Pudong to Jieyang Chaoshan. Other canceled flights included CES2187 from Xi’an to Xiamen Gaoqi and CES5156 from Beijing Capital International to Shanghai Hongqiao.

Hainan Airlines also faced 20 cancellations. Some of the most affected routes included flights from Zhuhai to Haikou Meilan International (CHH7018) and from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International to Jieyang Chaoshan International (CHH7415). Additional cancellations affected flights from Shenzhen Bao’an International to various destinations including Chengdu Tianfu International and Shenyang. CHH7753, a flight from Shenzhen Bao’an International to Xuzhou, was also among the impacted services.

Shenzhen Airlines, another major player in the Chinese aviation market, had 20 cancellations, with many of these flights operating out of Shenzhen Bao’an International. These included flights like CSZ8547 from Wuxi to Huizhou Pingtan and CSZ9519 from Shenzhen Bao’an to Shanghai Pudong. CSZ9323 from Shenzhen Bao’an to Sanya Phoenix was also impacted, as well as other regional flights like CSZ9409 from Shenzhen Bao’an to Chengdu Shuangliu.

Air China experienced 20 cancellations as well, impacting flights from its hubs in Beijing, Chengdu and Shenzhen. Among the affected flights were CCA8230, which was scheduled to fly from Jieyang Chaoshan to Wuhan Tianhe and CCA1207, which was supposed to depart from Beijing Capital International to Lanzhou Zhongchuan. Another key flight cancellation involved CCA1341 from Beijing Capital International to Shenzhen Bao’an.

Affected Routes

The cancellations affected both domestic and international flights, though the majority of disruptions took place within China. Key routes affected include flights between major hubs such as:

• Shanghai to Shenzhen, Chengdu, Guangzhou
• Beijing to Shenzhen, Harbin, Lanzhou
• Guangzhou to Zhengzhou, Xian
• Shenzhen to Hong Kong, Qingdao, Nanjing

These cancellations reflect the extensive network of China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Air China. The airlines serve many of the busiest air routes in China and disruptions to these services affect not just passengers, but also the airlines’ revenue and reputation.

Delays

The total number of delays across the four affected airlines reached a staggering 1,255, as travelers faced long waiting times at major airports throughout China. The delays varied significantly across the airlines, with some facing more severe disruptions than others.

China Eastern Airlines reported a total of 518 delays, amounting to 21% of their total flights being impacted. The delays affected key routes such as those from Shanghai Pudong to Jieyang Chaoshan International and Beijing Capital International to Shanghai Hongqiao. Passengers on these flights, among others, were forced to endure lengthy waits, adding to the overall strain on airport operations.

Hainan Airlines recorded 197 delays, representing 24% of their scheduled flights. This rate of delay caused significant passenger inconvenience, particularly on popular routes like Shenzhen Bao’an International to Chengdu Shuangliu International and Wenzhou International to Zhuhai International. With numerous travelers stuck at airports, this delay percentage contributed heavily to the growing frustration among affected passengers.

Shenzhen Airlines had the highest rate of delays, with a total of 252 delays, accounting for 35% of their flights. The high percentage of delays was most notable on domestic routes such as Shenzhen Bao’an to Wuxi and Guangzhou Baiyun to Shenzhen Bao’an, among others. The delays were compounded by staffing and operational challenges, making it particularly difficult for passengers to find timely alternatives.

Air China had the lowest delay rate among the four airlines, reporting 288 delays, which accounted for 16% of their total flights. While this delay percentage was still significant, it was less severe compared to the other carriers. Routes like Beijing Capital International to Shenzhen Bao’an and Jieyang Chaoshan International to Wuhan Tianhe were among the most impacted, leaving passengers stranded at various terminals.

In total, the delays have severely disrupted the schedules of thousands of passengers, particularly during peak travel times. Travelers were forced to deal with long layovers, missed connections and rebooking challenges.

Affected Airports

The cancellations have had a profound impact on several major airports across China. Airports such as Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), Beijing Capital International (PEK), Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN) and Shenzhen Bao’an International (SZX) are seeing significant foot traffic disruptions. Travelers passing through these hubs face long queues, overbooked flights and the challenge of rebooking their tickets at the last minute.

Other airports affected include Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH), Harbin Taiping International (HRB), Tianjin Binhai International (TSN) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The cascading effects of flight cancellations and delays have strained the operations of these airports, forcing them to adjust schedules, handle overflow passengers and manage gate congestion. As a result, the overall efficiency of these major transportation hubs has taken a hit, further complicating travel plans for both domestic and international passengers.

China’s tourism industry, which has been seeing a steady recovery in the wake of global restrictions, could face setbacks due to these cancellations. Key cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou are major tourist destinations, both for international visitors and domestic travelers. With flights canceled and passengers stranded, tourism in these cities could experience a temporary decline as travel plans are disrupted.

Cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which rely heavily on inbound and outbound international tourism, may see a drop in foot traffic, affecting hotels, local businesses and tour operators. Similarly, the coastal city of Shenzhen, a significant destination for both business and leisure, could face short-term challenges as visitors are unable to reach the city.

As flights to popular destinations like Guangzhou, Sanya and Harbin are canceled, tourists may be forced to delay or reschedule their trips, leading to financial losses for the hospitality and tourism sectors. However, as the airlines resolve these disruptions, it is likely that local tourism will bounce back once travel schedules return to normal.

For passengers affected by these disruptions, there are several steps to follow to ensure that travel plans are adjusted:

1. Contact the Airline: Passengers should immediately reach out to China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, or Air China to inquire about alternative flight options, compensation and rebooking policies. Most airlines offer rebooking for canceled flights at no additional charge.
2. Check for Refunds: If the flight was canceled and no suitable alternative is available, passengers may be entitled to a full refund. Ensure that you request a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
3. Explore Other Travel Options: For those unable to find flights with the same airline, it may be worthwhile to explore alternative airlines or other modes of transportation like high-speed trains, especially for domestic routes.
4. Stay Updated: Airlines are constantly updating their schedules. Passengers should remain alert to any changes by frequently checking the airline’s website or using their mobile app to stay informed.
5. Travel Insurance: For passengers with travel insurance, check if the coverage includes cancellations and delays due to airline disruptions. Depending on the terms, insurance may cover additional costs incurred due to the chaos.

In conclusion, the massive flight disruptions faced by China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Air China have significantly impacted travelers across major Chinese cities. As revealed by FlightAware data, these cancellations and delays have left passengers stranded, highlighting the challenges airlines face in managing operations under such intense pressure.

Image Credit- Air China