Air China and China Eastern Cancellations Hit Shanghai, Guangzhou

(Shanghai) Thousands of travelers across China faced disrupted plans on September 11, 2025, as widespread flight cancellations by Air China and China Eastern Airlines rippled through the country’s busiest air corridors. Routes linking major hubs — Shanghai, Chengdu, Beijing, and Guangzhou — saw the heaviest impact. Airlines cited severe weather and safety concerns as the main drivers.

The last‑minute schedule changes left many passengers stranded at airports, scrambling for hotel rooms, and waiting in long lines for rebooking and refunds. Travel demand is high during late summer and early autumn, and this week’s storm systems — including typhoon activity — pushed operations past the breaking point.

Where disruptions were concentrated

• Major hubs most affected: Shanghai and Beijing, with significant knock‑on effects in Guangzhou and Chengdu.
• Carriers and regional impacts:
  • China Eastern Airlines canceled about 20 flights affecting Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Haikou.
  • Earlier, Typhoon Tapah forced China Southern Airlines to cancel more than 10 flights, mainly in Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Zhuhai.
• The ripple effects compounded delays, especially for passengers with connecting itineraries.

Several travelers reported spending the night in terminals after hotels near major airports filled up. Although airlines issued advisories, many passengers said the timing made it hard to switch plans on short notice.

Scope of disruptions and root causes

The main drivers were weather and consequential operational strain:

• Severe weather: strong winds, heavy rain, and shifting storm tracks create unsafe approach paths and runway conditions.
• Network vulnerability: tight turnarounds and packed schedules give little margin for recovery; slowdown at a major hub spreads delays nationwide.
• Additional friction points: scattered reports of system upgrades and labor issues at some airports — not primary causes this week, but amplifiers when weather is poor.

Aviation teams are juggling aircraft rotations while keeping crews within duty limits. When multiple hubs are under pressure simultaneously, even small technical or staffing problems can magnify delays.

For international travelers — including foreign students, visa holders, and those with onward connections — missed domestic legs can break through‑tickets tied to time‑sensitive visas or appointments. Build extra buffer time over the coming weeks.

Airline responses and passenger options

Both carriers posted notices urging customers to check updates regularly. According to advisories, most passengers on canceled flights can receive full refunds or rebook without penalty if they meet the change rules. Policies vary by ticket class and route, so review details before deciding.

Key official channels:
– Air China: check updates at Air China. Customer service: 95583.
– China Eastern: travel alerts and change options at China Eastern Airlines.
– Comparable examples: China Airlines has previously offered fee waivers and same‑routing reissues during weather or strike events.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has published general guidance for passengers and airlines during adverse weather. Official notices and sector‑wide updates: Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

VisaVerge.com advises that travelers on short‑term visas document delays carefully. Dated records of cancellations, airline emails, and screenshots of weather alerts can help explain late departures to border officials.

Practical steps for affected travelers

• Keep your booking code handy and screenshot your ticket and current status.
• Consider accepting a rebooking on the same airline if timing works; alternative carriers may have limited seats.
• If switching cities, ask about re‑routing via hubs with capacity (e.g., Chengdu, Xi’an).
• Save receipts for meals and hotels — some credit cards or travel insurance include trip delay benefits.
• Notify your employer, school, or host if you have time‑sensitive appointments and request flexible rescheduling.
• Families, older travelers, and people with medical needs should inform staff to request priority assistance.
• If booked through an agency or platform, contact the seller — they sometimes process changes faster.

Practical day‑of tips:
– Bring a change of clothes, snacks, and essential medication in your carry‑on.
– Keep phone batteries charged and carry a power bank.
– Ask early about hotel vouchers; inventory near airports depletes quickly.
– For early morning rebookings, sleeping in the terminal can avoid morning lines and traffic if no room is available.

Refunds and unused segments

• Many carriers offer full refunds for unused tickets during weather events, but partial refunds for used segments can be more complex.
• If your outbound was canceled and you don’t need the return, ask options to change or refund the remaining leg.
• Be explicit about whether you want a cash refund or a voucher, as vouchers may have time limits.

Broader context and outlook

China’s domestic market has expanded rapidly, adding routes and seats to connect second‑ and third‑tier cities to big hubs. That growth improves reach but increases network complexity.

Industry responses likely in coming weeks:
1. Move aircraft and crews to safer airports ahead of storms.
2. Build more recovery time into turnarounds.
3. Send clearer alerts earlier in the day.
4. Invest in better weather forecasting tools and stronger airport infrastructure.

Major hubs such as Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital are working on capacity and resilience projects that could reduce future disruption risk.

Short-term practical guidance: assume more short‑notice changes while storm systems persist. Favor longer layovers if you have close connections and allow extra days for fixed appointments like university registration or work onboarding.

Communication and recovery

The disruption highlights the role of timely communication:

• Clear, early choices — rebook, refund, or waitlist — reduce stress and shorten queues.
• Airlines increased app notices this week, which helped, but many passengers still learned of cancellations at the gate or en route to airports.
• Better, plain‑language messaging during typhoon weeks can materially improve passenger experience.

As storms ease, airlines will add flights and extend operating hours to clear backlogs. Until then, patience, preparation, and direct use of official airline and CAAC channels remain the best strategies for anyone traveling within China this week.