Major Airports Affected as Passengers Stranded Globally
On February 22, 2026, significant flight disruptions impacted thousands of passengers globally, particularly across Asia. Major airports reported considerable operational challenges, resulting in widespread traveler inconvenience.
Flight Disruptions Overview
On this day, there were 1,804 reported flight disruptions, which included:
- 1,721 delays
- 83 cancellations
Major Affected Airports
Key airports facing the brunt of these disruptions included:
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport – Notably the most affected with numerous delays.
- Don Mueang International Airport (Bangkok) – Experienced significant operational delays.
- Singapore Changi Airport – Also reported heavy delays.
- Bengaluru Airport – Disruptions were prevalent in India.
- Chennai and Kolkata Airports – Faced substantial challenges.
- Dubai International Airport – Encountered operational delays.
Impact on Airlines
Low-cost carriers were hit hardest, particularly:
- AirAsia and its affiliates faced over 300 delays.
- Thai AirAsia and Lion Air dealt with significant operational strain.
Full-service airlines reported fewer cancellations, including:
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- Air India
- Malaysia Airlines
Regional Variations in Cancellations
Cancellations were notably higher in airports within:
- Indonesia
- China
In contrast, Southeast Asian airports primarily struggled with congestion, leading to delays rather than cancellations.
Advice for Stranded Passengers
Aviation authorities urged travelers to stay informed about their flight status. Passengers were advised to:
- Regularly check for flight updates.
- Maintain communication with their airlines.
- Keep receipts for any expenses incurred for potential compensation claims.
Recurrence of Flight Disruptions
Such widespread disturbances in air travel have become increasingly frequent. Despite ongoing efforts, aviation authorities have yet to develop a permanent solution to these issues.
