Why Shanghai Cancelled Over 1,300 Flights: Typhoon Dolphin’s Disruption Explained

Typhoon Dolphin forced Shanghai’s two international airports, Pudong and Hongqiao, to cancel more than 1,300 flights after making landfall on China’s eastern coast on the evening of 9 August 2026. Chinese authorities relocated over 300,000 people preemptively as the storm approached, and by 11 August, flight-tracking data showed 761 cancellations and 8,207 delays across major Asian aviation hubs, with Shanghai Pudong alone logging 664 delays.

The disruption extended well beyond Shanghai. Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou and Taizhou airports all reported cancellations, and Hong Kong recorded its hottest day ever, 36.9 degrees Celsius, as Dolphin’s outer bands interacted with the region’s summer heat. This explainer breaks down what happened, the scale of the disruption, and why 2026’s typhoon season is shaping up to be one of the most active on record.

What Typhoon Dolphin Did to Shanghai’s Airports

As Typhoon Dolphin approached on 8 August, flight service app Umetrip showed 930 flights scheduled to depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport that Saturday, with 317 already delayed and 78 cancelled by 7pm, alongside 123 cancelled arrivals. The disruption escalated sharply once the storm made landfall the following evening, with Shanghai’s two airports ultimately cancelling more than 1,300 flights combined and stranding aircraft and cabin crews across the network.

By 11 August, three days after landfall, flight-tracking data compiled across the region showed the scale of the follow-on disruption: 761 cancellations and 8,207 delays across East and South Asian hubs, with Shanghai Pudong recording 664 delays and Beijing Capital 645, even as the storm system itself had already moved inland.

Why This Disruption Ran Longer Than a Normal Storm

Aircraft and crew displacement is what turned a two-day weather event into a multi-day travel disruption. Once the suspension of operations at Shanghai’s airports left planes and cabin crews out of position, flight delays persisted for several days after the storm itself had passed, since airlines had to reposition aircraft before resuming normal schedules. Thai Airways, for example, cancelled its Bangkok-to-Shanghai Pudong route on 10 August as a direct consequence.

The knock-on effects also hit hospitality, retail and transit sectors across eastern China, since cancelled flights mean cancelled hotel stays, missed business meetings and disrupted supply chains for time-sensitive cargo. Passengers travelling through the region were advised to check flight status before heading to the airport and to consider alternate gateways such as Hangzhou Xiaoshan or Nanjing Lukou, connecting to Shanghai by high-speed rail if travel could not be postponed.

A More Active Typhoon Season Than Usual

Tropical Storm Risk projected the 2026 northwest Pacific typhoon season would be one of the most active on record, forecasting 28 tropical storms, 20 typhoons and 13 intense typhoons for the year. Dolphin’s impact was compared by Chinese meteorologists to Typhoon Doksuri in 2023, which caused destruction in Fujian province and record-breaking rainfall in Beijing. As Dolphin’s remnants met colder air moving south, Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei were placed on alert for heavy rain in the days that followed.

FAQs: Shanghai Flights Cancelled Questions

Why were Shanghai’s flights cancelled in August 2026?

Shanghai’s flights were cancelled in August 2026 because Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on China’s eastern coast on 9 August, forcing the city’s two airports, Pudong and Hongqiao, to suspend operations for passenger safety. More than 1,300 flights were cancelled combined, and over 300,000 people were relocated preemptively as the storm approached the coast.

How many flights did Typhoon Dolphin cancel in total?

Typhoon Dolphin caused more than 1,300 flight cancellations at Shanghai’s two airports alone. Regional flight-tracking data from 11 August, three days after landfall, recorded 761 cancellations and 8,207 delays across major Asian aviation hubs including Shanghai, Beijing and Tokyo, showing the disruption extended well beyond the initial storm.

How long did the Shanghai flight disruptions last?

Shanghai’s flight disruptions lasted several days beyond the storm itself because Typhoon Dolphin left aircraft and cabin crews displaced from their scheduled positions. Airlines needed time to reposition planes and staff before resuming normal schedules, meaning delays and cancellations continued for days after the typhoon had already moved inland and weakened.

Which airports were affected by Typhoon Dolphin besides Shanghai?

Airports in Ningbo, Wenzhou, Taizhou and Hangzhou also reported typhoon-related disruptions alongside Shanghai. The wider regional impact extended to Beijing Capital and Tokyo Haneda, which recorded significant delays days after Dolphin’s landfall as the storm system continued to affect flight schedules and aircraft positioning across East Asia.

Is the 2026 typhoon season worse than normal?

The 2026 northwest Pacific typhoon season is forecast to be one of the most active on record, according to Tropical Storm Risk, which projected 28 tropical storms, 20 typhoons and 13 intense typhoons for the year. Typhoon Dolphin’s impact on Shanghai has been compared to Typhoon Doksuri in 2023, one of the more destructive storms of the past decade.

What should travellers do if their flight is cancelled during a typhoon in China?

Travellers should avoid going to the airport terminal if their flight is confirmed cancelled, since customer service counters face long queues during typhoon disruptions. Rebooking online or by phone is faster. Checking alternate gateways like Hangzhou Xiaoshan or Nanjing Lukou, connected to Shanghai by high-speed rail, can also help travellers reach their destination when direct flights remain suspended.