Typhoon Champi is disrupting air travel across East Asia, prompting flight cancellations and schedule changes in Taiwan and Japan as the powerful storm moves through the western Pacific. Strong winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous coastal conditions are affecting airline operations across the region.
Taiwanese authorities have issued a land warning as Champi approaches the island, while Japanese airlines have also cancelled flights ahead of the storm’s expected impact. The disruption is spreading through domestic services, international connections and onward travel across the region.
~1,000
Flight Cancellations in Taiwan
100+
Domestic Flights Cancelled in Japan
11,000+
Passengers Affected in Japan
Land Warning
Issued by Taiwanese Authorities
Flying This Week? Check Before You Go
If you are flying to, from or within Taiwan or Japan, check your flight status directly with your airline before leaving for the airport. Schedules may continue to change as forecasts are updated.
Taiwan: Widespread Cancellations
Reports on October 23 indicated that cancellations across Taiwan had approached 1,000 flights, affecting both domestic and international services.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the country’s main international gateway, is central to the disruption. Changes there can affect travellers connecting through Taiwan to other destinations in Asia.
Domestic routes have also been interrupted, including services linking Taiwan’s main cities with offshore islands.
Japan: Domestic Flights Cancelled
Japanese carriers have cancelled more than 100 domestic flights scheduled from Thursday through Sunday, affecting more than 11,000 passengers:
Japan’s southwestern islands, particularly the areas around Okinawa, are exposed to the storm. Disruption there can also affect passengers travelling on to larger Japanese cities or connecting to international flights.
International Routes Affected
Airlines across the region are monitoring the storm and adjusting services based on forecasts and airport conditions. Reported changes include:
| Airline | Reported Change |
|---|---|
| China Airlines | Adjusted selected services involving Okinawa |
| Tigerair Taiwan | Adjusted selected services involving Okinawa |
| Singapore Airlines | Cancelled Singapore–Taipei flights reported for October 23 |
This list reflects reported changes and may not be complete. Other airlines may also adjust their schedules.
Why the Disruption Spreads Beyond the Storm
A typhoon does not only affect flights directly in its path. When services to a major hub such as Taipei are cancelled or delayed, aircraft and crews end up out of position, and connecting passengers can be affected even if their final destination is well outside the storm area.
How much further disruption follows will depend on Champi’s track, wind strength and rainfall, and on the decisions of airlines and airport authorities as updated forecasts arrive.
What Travellers Should Do
- Check your flight status with your airline before travelling to the airport.
- Review every segment of a connecting itinerary, since a cancellation on one leg can affect later flights.
- Watch for airline notifications about rebooking options, refunds and changed departure times.
- Allow extra flexibility if your trip includes domestic connections, island destinations or onward flights elsewhere in East Asia.
- Follow official weather advisories from local authorities until conditions improve.
