In what is shaping up to be one of the most turbulent weeks for global air travel in recent memory, travelers across several continents are facing a cascade of flight delays and cancellations. From Asia to Africa and the Americas, a combination of safety warnings, natural phenomena, and operational bottlenecks have left passengers stranded, airlines scrambling, and tourism industries bracing for fallout.
According to Yicai, at least 12 cross-border air routes between China and Japan had canceled scheduled flights as of 10 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025. The data, sourced from online aviation tracker DAST, signals that the cancellation rate for flights to Japan is only set to rise in the coming days. Projections indicate the rate could peak at 21.6 percent by Thursday, November 27, marking the highest monthly tally so far. Particularly hard-hit are routes connecting Tianjin Binhai to Kansai International in Osaka (with a staggering 65 percent cancellation ratio), Nanjing Lukou to Kansai (59.4 percent), Guangzhou Baiyun to Kansai (31.3 percent), and Shanghai Pudong to Kansai (30.1 percent).
Yet, in a move that’s left travelers and industry analysts scratching their heads, neither airlines nor regulators have issued public statements explaining the reasons behind the escalating cancellations. Whether this trend will continue into January 2026 remains anyone’s guess, adding another layer of uncertainty for those planning travel between China and Japan.
Meanwhile, in India and the broader Middle East, the culprit behind flight disruptions is not regulatory ambiguity but Mother Nature herself. Following recent volcanic activity at Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, ash clouds have been reported drifting toward parts of western India as of late November 2025. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, responded swiftly by issuing a detailed advisory to airlines and airports on November 24. The directive urges carriers to avoid volcanic ash-affected areas and flight levels, adjust flight planning and routing, and immediately report any suspected encounters with ash—especially if there are engine anomalies or cabin smoke and odors.
Akasa Air, IndiGo, and KLM were among the first to cancel flights to and from the Middle East, specifically Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November 24 and 25. "Following recent volcanic activity in Ethiopia and the resulting ash plume in the surrounding airspace, our flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for 24th and 25th November 2025 have been cancelled," Akasa Air confirmed in a statement, as reported by Economic Times. The airline emphasized its ongoing commitment to passenger safety, noting, "Our teams will continue to assess the situation in compliance with international aviation advisories and safety protocols and take necessary actions as required."
The DGCA’s advisory also mandates that airport operators immediately inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons if operations are affected by volcanic ash. Only after cleaning procedures are completed can normal operations resume. Airlines are further advised to stay updated through satellite imagery and meteorological data, underscoring the unpredictable nature of volcanic ash clouds and their impact on aviation safety.
Across the Atlantic, Venezuela has become the latest flashpoint for aviation safety concerns. As reported by Reuters and Fox News Digital, several major airlines—including Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal—have pulled flights from Caracas following a U.S. aviation safety warning. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its cautionary notice on November 22, 2025, citing a "potentially hazardous situation" in Venezuelan airspace. Spain’s Iberia joined the exodus, suspending flights to Caracas starting Monday, November 24, "until further notice."
This wave of cancellations and rerouted flights comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The Trump administration has ramped up pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, increasing the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and formally designating the Venezuelan group Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated last week, "The Cartel de los Soles and other cartels in Venezuela are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe."
European governments responded by updating travel guidance, with Germany warning that Venezuela’s situation remained "tense" and could deteriorate, while the U.K. advised travelers to stay in close contact with their airlines due to the possibility of short-notice cancellations. "Some airlines have canceled flights at short notice," the U.K. government advised, highlighting the volatility of the situation for international passengers.
Even destinations far from geopolitical flashpoints or volcanic eruptions are not immune to the current wave of aviation woes. According to recent reports, Mexico City, Cancun, and Johannesburg—three major tourist hubs—are all grappling with significant flight delays and cancellations. In the week leading up to Monday, November 24, Mexico City International Airport (MEX) experienced 35 delayed flights (but no cancellations), while Cancun International Airport (CUN) recorded 48 delayed flights and 2 cancellations. Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) had 10 delayed flights and 3 cancellations.
The situation is even more acute in South Africa. Johannesburg OR Tambo International (JNB), the country’s busiest airport, faced a staggering 214 delayed flights and 4 cancellations, while Cape Town International (CPT) had 61 delayed flights and 3 cancellations. These disruptions have caused significant inconvenience, with travelers missing connections, losing vacation time, and sometimes incurring additional costs. The impact is not just personal—tourism-dependent economies like Mexico and South Africa are feeling the sting as negative travel experiences risk deterring future visitors.
Government officials in both countries have acknowledged the challenges. Mexican authorities have pledged to increase resources, improve infrastructure, and optimize scheduling systems to reduce delays. South African officials, for their part, are investing in technology and streamlining airport operations in hopes of minimizing future disruptions. However, as of this week, the situation remains challenging and uncertain for both travelers and the tourism industry.
What’s driving this global uptick in flight disruptions? The causes are as varied as the destinations themselves: from volcanic ash clouds drifting unpredictably across continents, to geopolitical tensions and safety warnings, to operational strains at some of the world’s busiest airports. For travelers, the message is clear: flexibility and vigilance are more important than ever, and checking with airlines before departure is now a critical part of the journey.
As the world watches to see whether these disruptions are a temporary blip or a sign of deeper systemic issues, one thing is certain: the aviation industry, and the millions who depend on it, are navigating some of the choppiest skies in recent memory.
