On August 19, 2025, Air China is grappling with unprecedented travel chaos as over 80 flights were suspended, leaving passengers stranded across major airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. According to data from FlightAware, the airline reported a total of 91 cancellations and 636 delays, disrupting travel plans for thousands. These issues span several key routes, primarily affecting domestic travel within China. Passengers flying from hubs like Beijing Capital International, Shanghai Pudong and Chengdu Tianfu have experienced significant setbacks, with flights delayed for hours or completely canceled. The cancellations and delays have severely impacted travellers’ schedules, making it challenging for many to reach their destinations. This situation has prompted Air China to offer rebooking options and prioritize affected passengers. As the airline continues to address the situation, those planning to fly with Air China in the coming days are advised to stay updated on flight statuses.

The cancellations have impacted several key airports in China, including Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), among others. The majority of these disruptions are centered around domestic flights, with Beijing seeing the highest number of cancellations. The airline’s operations at other major hubs such as Shanghai and Guangzhou have also been significantly affected, leading to a ripple effect on passengers across the country.

Some of the most affected routes include the Beijing to Hailar Dongshan (CCA1133), Beijing to Nanchang (CCA8667) and Chengdu to Changchun (CCA2713). These flights, which are integral to Air China’s domestic network, have been delayed for several hours or cancelled altogether. The extensive network of cancellations has left many passengers stranded, with some flights scheduled for departure as early as 6:35 AM local time.

The flight cancellations and delays have been spread throughout the day, beginning with early morning departures and continuing into the afternoon. As seen with flights like CCA1133 from Beijing to Hailar Dongshan and CCA2713 from Chengdu to Changchun, passengers have faced long delays, with some not being able to board their flights at all.

For example, CCA1133, scheduled to depart Beijing Capital International at 6:35 AM, was canceled, leaving many passengers stranded. Similarly, CCA2713, which was supposed to depart Chengdu Tianfu International at 8:00 AM, was also canceled, disrupting travel plans for a significant number of people. Other flights, such as CCA1475 from Beijing to Kunming, faced delays, with passengers waiting for hours before being informed about the altered schedules.

In total, Air China has canceled over 80 flights across its network, with several of them being high-demand routes. The airline’s domestic connections, including flights from major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, have been most impacted. Furthermore, passengers scheduled to fly from Shanghai Pudong International to Chengdu (CCA8557) and from Beijing Capital International to Zhanjiang (CCA9603) were among those affected by the cancellations.

While the exact reasons behind the widespread disruptions have not been disclosed, Air China has been working to minimize the inconvenience for affected passengers. The airline has been offering rebooking options, including alternative flight routes, where available. In addition, passengers have been provided with assistance, though the high number of cancellations has made managing the situation challenging.

Air China is reportedly prioritizing affected passengers based on the urgency of their travel needs, although the sheer volume of disruptions has overwhelmed some of the airline’s customer service operations. Given the scale of the cancellations, it has become evident that the airline is facing an unprecedented situation in terms of operational management.

Air China’s recent travel disruptions, including over 80 flight cancellations and more than 600 delays, have left many passengers stranded across major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. This extensive travel chaos has significantly impacted domestic flights, creating considerable inconvenience for travellers. Based on data from FlightAware, the airline has been working to offer rebooking options, though the scale of the situation has made it challenging to manage. Passengers are urged to stay informed about their flight statuses, as further delays and cancellations may continue. While Air China is taking steps to resolve these issues, the full recovery of operations remains uncertain.