Published on
January 27, 2026
A sweeping wave of adverse weather conditions across large parts of China has triggered widespread flight cancellations, severely disrupting domestic air travel and placing intense pressure on passengers, airports, and airline operations. Over a tightly concentrated operational window spanning late Monday through Wednesday, 49 scheduled flights operated by China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and Shenzhen Airlines were cancelled due to weather-related constraints, primarily low visibility, snow accumulation, strong winds, and airport operational limitations.
The cancellations affected major aviation hubs and secondary regional airports alike, cutting connectivity between eastern economic powerhouses, central transport corridors, and remote western regions. The impact has been deeply felt by travelers relying on short-haul business routes, long-distance domestic connections, and feeder services linking China’s interior cities to national hubs.
Key Cancellation Numbers at a Glance
- China Eastern Airlines: 20 cancelled flights
| Ident | Type | Origin | Destination | Scheduled Departure Time |
|---|
| CES5209 | B732 | Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG / ZSPD) | Taiyuan Wusu (TYN / ZBYN) | Mon 08:00PM CST |
| CES2290 | A319 | Wenzhou Int’l (WNZ / ZSWZ) | Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) | Mon 09:40PM CST |
| CES2703 | A319 | Nanjing Lukou Int’l (NKG / ZSNJ) | Taiyuan Wusu (TYN / ZBYN) | Tue 08:05AM CST |
| CES5699 | A20N | Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA / ZSSS) | Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC / ZWWW) | Tue 09:50AM CST |
| CES6961 | A320 | Hefei Xinqiao Airport (HFE / ZSOF) | Dalian Zhoushuizi Int’l (DLC / ZYTL) | Tue 09:50AM CST |
| CES2131 | A319 | Kashgar (Kashi) (KHG / ZWSH) | Ngari Gunsa (NGQ / ZUAL) | Tue 09:55AM CST |
| CES2704 | A319 | Taiyuan Wusu (TYN / ZBYN) | Nanjing Lukou Int’l (NKG / ZSNJ) | Tue 10:55AM CST |
| CES2132 | A319 | Ngari Gunsa (NGQ / ZUAL) | Kashgar (Kashi) (KHG / ZWSH) | Tue 12:10PM CST |
| CES6962 | A320 | Dalian Zhoushuizi Int’l (DLC / ZYTL) | Hefei Xinqiao Airport (HFE / ZSOF) | Tue 12:35PM CST |
| CES2271 | A319 | Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) | Changchun Longjia Int’l (CGQ / ZYCC) | Tue 02:50PM CST |
| CES2885 | A320 | Nanjing Lukou Int’l (NKG / ZSNJ) | Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) | Tue 03:20PM CST |
| CES6963 | A20N | Hefei Xinqiao Airport (HFE / ZSOF) | Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW / ZLLL) | Tue 03:40PM CST |
| CES2309 | A20N | Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG / ZSPD) | Xining Caojiabu (XNN / ZLXN) | Tue 04:10PM CST |
| CES2265 | A320 | Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) | Changsha Huanghua Int’l (CSX / ZGHA) | Tue 04:15PM CST |
| CES5700 | A20N | Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC / ZWWW) | Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA / ZSSS) | Tue 04:55PM CST |
| CES6263 | A320 | Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW / ZLLL) | Tianjin Binhai Int’l (TSN / ZBTJ) | Tue 05:55PM CST |
| CES9054 | C09 | Nantong (NTG / ZSNT) | Nanchang Changbei Int’l (KHN / ZSCN) | Tue 05:55PM CST |
| CES2886 | A320 | Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) | Nanjing Lukou Int’l (NKG / ZSNJ) | Tue 06:35PM CST |
| CES6964 | A320 | Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW / ZLLL) | Hefei Xinqiao Airport (HFE / ZSOF) | Tue 07:10PM CST |
| CES2272 | A319 | Changchun Longjia Int’l (CGQ / ZYCC) | Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) | Tue 07:10PM CST |
- Air China: 15 cancelled flights
| Ident | Type | Origin | Destination | Scheduled Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCA8388 | B738 | Ningbo Lishe Int’l (NGB / ZSNB) | Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX / ZBAD) | Tue 08:10AM CST |
| CCA8153 | 909 | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW / ZBSJ) | Tue 01:35PM CST |
| CCA8125 | 909 | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Tongliao (TGO / ZBTL) | Tue 02:35PM CST |
| CCA8154 | 909 | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW / ZBSJ) | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Tue 03:55PM CST |
| CCA8169 | 909 | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Ulanhot (HLH / ZBUL) | Tue 04:10PM CST |
| CCA8137 | 909 | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Changchun Longjia Int’l (CGQ / ZYCC) | Tue 04:50PM CST |
| CCA8126 | 909 | Tongliao (TGO / ZBTL) | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Tue 05:10PM CST |
| CCA8170 | 909 | Ulanhot (HLH / ZBUL) | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Tue 07:00PM CST |
| CCA8138 | 909 | Changchun Longjia Int’l (CGQ / ZYCC) | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Tue 08:05PM CST |
| CCA1593 | B738 | Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) | Penglai International (YNT / ZSYT) | Tue 08:10PM CST |
| CCA1594 | B738 | Penglai International (YNT / ZSYT) | Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) | Tue 10:20PM CST |
| CCA8153 | 909 | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW / ZBSJ) | Wed 01:35PM CST |
| CCA8154 | 909 | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW / ZBSJ) | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Wed 03:55PM CST |
| CCA8169 | 909 | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Ulanhot (HLH / ZBUL) | Wed 04:10PM CST |
| CCA8170 | 909 | Ulanhot (HLH / ZBUL) | Hohhot Baita Int’l (HET / ZBHH) | Wed 07:00PM CST |
- Shenzhen Airlines: 14 cancelled flights
| Ident | Type | Origin | Destination | Scheduled Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSZ8167 | A320 | Yuncheng (YCU / ZBYC) | Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH / ZSHC) | Tue 07:10AM CST |
| CSZ8168 | A320 | Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH / ZSHC) | Yuncheng (YCU / ZBYC) | Tue 10:30AM CST |
| CSZ9887 | A320 | Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX / ZGSZ) | Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH / ZSHC) | Tue 11:30AM CST |
| CSZ9888 | A320 | Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH / ZSHC) | Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX / ZGSZ) | Tue 02:40PM CST |
| CSZ8160 | A320 | Nanjing Lukou Int’l (NKG / ZSNJ) | Yuncheng (YCU / ZBYC) | Tue 07:20PM CST |
| CSZ8159 | A320 | Yuncheng (YCU / ZBYC) | Nanjing Lukou Int’l (NKG / ZSNJ) | Tue 09:55PM CST |
| CSZ9824 | B738 | Wuxi (WUX / ZSWX) | Guangzhou Baiyun Int’l (CAN / ZGGG) | Tue 10:35PM CST |
| CSZ8657 | B738 | Nantong (NTG / ZSNT) | Taiyuan Wusu (TYN / ZBYN) | Wed 12:10PM CST |
| CSZ9889 | B738 | Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX / ZGSZ) | Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH / ZSHC) | Wed 01:20PM CST |
| CSZ8658 | B738 | Taiyuan Wusu (TYN / ZBYN) | Nantong (NTG / ZSNT) | Wed 03:15PM CST |
| CSZ9890 | B738 | Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int’l (HGH / ZSHC) | Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX / ZGSZ) | Wed 04:40PM CST |
| CSZ9737 | A320 | Shenyang Taoxian Int’l (SHE / ZYTX) | Nanchang Changbei Int’l (KHN / ZSCN) | Wed 05:00PM CST |
| CSZ9607 | A320 | Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX / ZGSZ) | Shenyang Taoxian Int’l (SHE / ZYTX) | Wed 08:15PM CST |
| CSZ9738 | A320 | Nanchang Changbei Int’l (KHN / ZSCN) | Shenyang Taoxian Int’l (SHE / ZYTX) | Wed 09:05PM CST |
Total Flights Cancelled: 49 domestic flights
All cancellations were precautionary operational decisions triggered by severe weather conditions, ensuring compliance with aviation safety standards.
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Why the Flights Were Cancelled: Weather as the Decisive Factor
Across northern, central, and western China, aviation authorities faced a convergence of winter weather hazards:
- Heavy snowfall affecting runway friction and taxiway safety
- Dense fog and low cloud ceilings reducing landing visibility
- Strong crosswinds limiting aircraft performance margins
- Icing conditions impacting aircraft ground handling and climb profiles
These conditions directly affected airports such as Taiyuan, Xi’an, Hohhot, Changchun, Lanzhou, and Urumqi, forcing airlines to pre-emptively cancel services rather than risk extended delays or diversions.
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Airlines Under Pressure: Operational Breakdown
China Eastern Airlines: Network-Wide Disruptions
China Eastern bore the highest number of cancellations, with 20 flights grounded across a geographically vast network. The airline’s schedule was disrupted across:
- Eastern coastal hubs like Shanghai Pudong and Shanghai Hongqiao
- Central nodes including Nanjing, Hefei, Xi’an
- Remote western airports such as Urumqi, Kashgar, Ngari Gunsa, and Xining
This pattern highlights the vulnerability of long domestic routes traversing multiple weather systems, particularly those linking eastern China to high-altitude western regions.
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Air China: Northern Corridor Severely Affected
Air China’s 15 cancelled flights were heavily concentrated in Inner Mongolia and North China, with repeated disruptions between:
- Hohhot, Ulanhot, Tongliao, and Shijiazhuang
- Trunk routes linking Beijing Capital and Beijing Daxing
These cancellations underline how regional turboprop and narrowbody operations are especially exposed when winter weather reduces airport operational capacity.
Shenzhen Airlines: East–South Axis Interrupted
Shenzhen Airlines recorded 14 cancellations, primarily affecting routes connecting:
- Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Yuncheng
- Northern routes extending to Taiyuan, Shenyang, and Nanchang
The cancellations disrupted both leisure and business travel flows along China’s eastern seaboard and inland corridors.
Main Airports Impacted — Airline-Wise Breakdown
China Eastern Airlines – Key Airports Affected
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport
- Taiyuan Wusu Airport
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport
- Hefei Xinqiao Airport
- Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport
- Urumqi Diwopu International Airport
- Kashgar Airport
- Ngari Gunsa Airport
Air China – Key Airports Affected
- Hohhot Baita International Airport
- Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
- Ulanhot Airport
- Tongliao Airport
- Changchun Longjia International Airport
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Beijing Daxing International Airport
- Penglai International Airport
Shenzhen Airlines – Key Airports Affected
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
- Yuncheng Airport
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport
- Wuxi Airport
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Nantong Airport
- Taiyuan Wusu Airport
- Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
- Nanchang Changbei International Airport
Key Regions Grappling with Disruption
China Eastern Airlines
Eastern China, Central China, Northwest China, and Tibet Autonomous Region experienced compounded disruptions, particularly affecting long-haul domestic connectivity.
Air China
Northern China and Inner Mongolia faced repeated cancellations, cutting regional mobility and impacting feeder routes into Beijing.
Shenzhen Airlines
Southern and Eastern China bore the brunt, with spillover effects reaching northeastern provincial capitals.
Routes That Went Silent — Airline-Wise Route Impact
China Eastern Airlines – Route Impacts
Routes such as Shanghai–Taiyuan, Nanjing–Xi’an, Hefei–Lanzhou, Urumqi–Shanghai, and Kashgar–Ngari Gunsa were suspended, severing critical east-west and high-altitude connections. These cancellations particularly affected remote communities dependent on limited daily frequencies.
Air China – Route Impacts
Key regional links including Hohhot–Shijiazhuang, Hohhot–Ulanhot, Hohhot–Tongliao, and Beijing–Penglai were disrupted, affecting both administrative travel and tourism movement within northern China.
Shenzhen Airlines – Route Impacts
High-demand routes such as Shenzhen–Hangzhou, Hangzhou–Yuncheng, Shenyang–Nanchang, and Taiyuan–Nantong were cancelled, impacting manufacturing supply chains and business travel.
Passengers Left in Limbo
Thousands of passengers faced missed connections, overnight airport stays, delayed business commitments, and disrupted family plans. Winter cancellations amplify stress due to limited rebooking capacity, weather-constrained alternates, and accommodation shortages near regional airports.
Tourism Shockwaves Across China
Domestic tourism hubs such as Hangzhou, Xi’an, Shanghai, and Shenyang experienced booking volatility, last-minute cancellations, and reduced inbound flows. Travelers are advised to monitor weather advisories closely, maintain flexible itineraries, and opt for refundable bookings during peak winter months.
Turning Turbulence into Opportunity
Building Weather-Resilient Aviation
Enhanced forecasting, improved runway de-icing infrastructure, and dynamic crew deployment can reduce cascading cancellations.
Passenger-First Recovery
Proactive rebooking, transparent communication, and flexible compensation policies can restore traveler confidence even after widespread disruptions.
A Stronger Takeoff Ahead
China’s aviation sector has demonstrated resilience time and again. While weather remains an uncontrollable force, smarter operational planning and passenger-centric recovery strategies will ensure the industry rebounds stronger, safer, and more adaptive—ready to reconnect cities, economies, and people once the skies clear.
