- Flight Disruptions
- China flight gridlock disrupts 416 flights across Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Xi'an
China flight gridlock disrupts 416 flights across Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Xi'an
Check how much the airline owes you.
It's free and takes 2 minutes.
May qualify for compensation
Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on May 11, 2026
416
Affected flights
6
Affected airports
14
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
China's main airports were hit by a broad operational slowdown on 11 May 2026, with 96 cancellations and 320 delays recorded across Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, and Kashgar Airport. China Eastern Airlines was among the hardest hit, including 44 delayed departures at Shanghai Pudong, while 9 Air canceled 12 flights at Guiyang and regional carriers also cut service at Kashgar. For passengers, that meant long queues, missed connections, and in some cases overnight stays as airlines extended operating hours to clear the backlog. Rights will depend on your route and airline, so if your trip was affected, it's worth checking what support or compensation rules may apply.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to US$650 under passenger rights regulations. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the disruption.
Get flight compensation
free compensation check
fast & risk-free
highest success rate
Disruption details
On 11 May 2026, China's aviation network slowed sharply, with 416 flights disrupted across the country's busiest airports. The heaviest problems hit Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, and Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, leaving thousands of passengers dealing with missed connections, long waits, and in some cases overnight stays.
For passengers, this meant more than a late departure. The disruption spread well beyond the biggest hubs, with knock-on problems also reaching Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport and Kashgar Airport. At airports with thinner regional schedules, even a small number of cancellations can quickly remove a large share of the day's service.
The busiest airports saw the heaviest impact:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport recorded 147 delays and 14 cancellations. China Eastern Airlines alone had 44 delayed departures there, while Garuda Indonesia and Mahan Air saw every scheduled Shanghai service delayed.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport logged 15 cancellations and 61 delays. Sichuan Airlines was hit hard with 22 late departures.
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport recorded 21 cancellations and 51 delays. China Eastern Airlines grounded 12 services there.
Beijing Capital International Airport saw 12 cancellations and 40 delays. Even with lower totals than Shanghai Pudong, the disruption still fed into wider network delays.
Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport and Kashgar Airport were especially difficult for regional carriers. 9 Air canceled 12 flights at Guiyang, while China Express Airlines and Chengdu Airlines posted cancellation rates of 31% and 28% at Kashgar.
Even airports with lower totals were still adding to wider network problems. Beijing Capital's figures may have looked smaller than Shanghai Pudong's, but delays at a major hub can still disrupt tightly planned aircraft and crew schedules across the system. At smaller airports, the effect was often sharper because there were fewer replacement options available.
The cause appears to be operational congestion, not bad weather, strike action, or a technical fault. In simple terms, the system became too full to absorb even modest delays. Once flights started slipping behind schedule during the busiest parts of the day, there wasn't enough spare capacity to recover quickly.
That kind of pressure hits airlines with tight aircraft rotations especially hard, where the same plane is scheduled to operate several flights close together. One late arrival can delay the next flight, then the one after that, until the problem spreads through the day. That's why disruption at the biggest hubs was also felt at secondary airports such as Guiyang and Kashgar.
Airlines and airport operators are trying to clear the backlog by extending operations into the late evening. Some travelers have already moved to China's high-speed rail network instead, while others have faced waits of more than 3 hours at China Eastern Airlines and Air China service desks.
Airlines are encouraging passengers to use mobile apps for rebooking to avoid crowded counters. Recovery is expected to continue beyond 11 May 2026, and no broad free-change policy has been announced, which leaves many passengers relying on standard rebooking, refund, and assistance options.
If you were affected, your rights will depend on your route and the airline operating your flight. Domestic flights within China aren't covered by EC 261. Some international journeys may still fall under passenger-protection rules in other jurisdictions, but that depends on the route and carrier.
If your flight was canceled or heavily delayed, keep your booking details and any receipts for meals, transport, or accommodation you had to pay for. You can also ask your airline about rebooking, refunds, and care at the airport. And if you want to understand what may apply to your journey, you can check your flight with AirHelp's free flight checker.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you have rights. Most passenger protection laws cover the following:
Compensation
Good passenger rights ensure passengers get fairly compensated for delays and cancellations. Try our compensation check and find out how much money we can get you.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. Some laws say you can choose a full refund instead.
Food and essential care
Providing food and drinks is a basic right under many regulations. Typically after a delay of a few hours.
Accommodation
Some passenger rights say the airline must provide accommodation when your journey is delayed overnight.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Other
Status
Current disruption
Compensation
May qualify for compensation
Flights affected
416
Airlines affected
China Eastern Airlines, MapJet, Air China, Shanghai Airlines, Spring Airlines, TianJin Airlines, China Express Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Mahan Air, Sichuan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Chengdu Airlines
Airports affected
Pudong International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, Xianyang Airport, Guiyang Airport, Kashi
Cities affected
Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Guiyang, Kashgar, Xian, Kashi
Countries affected
China
Start date
2026-05-11
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
May 11, 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
