Winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour made flight operations untenable
When nature moves with force, human schedules yield. Typhoon Bavi, carrying winds beyond 200 kilometers per hour, swept toward Japan, Taiwan, and mainland China in mid-July, compelling airlines across Singapore's Changi Airport to cancel at least 20 flights over two days. The storm did not merely disrupt itineraries — it reminded thousands of travelers that the great currents of the natural world still hold authority over the intricate systems we build to connect ourselves across distances.
- Typhoon Bavi struck with winds exceeding 200kmh, making flight operations across northeast Asia not just difficult but untenable.
- At least 20 flights from Singapore were cancelled across July 11 and 12, with Singapore Airlines, China Airlines, EVA Air, XiamenAir, and others all pulling services to Shanghai, Taipei, and beyond.
- The disruption compounded an already turbulent week — SIA and Scoot had earlier cancelled at least 18 flights to Tokyo, Sapporo, Seoul, and Taipei as the storm's path became clearer.
- Thousands of passengers were left rerouting plans, with Changi Airport Group urging travelers to monitor its website as further cancellations remained possible.
- Bavi made landfall on Okinawa on the morning of July 11, with Japan's meteorological authorities warning of landslides and flooding as the system pressed onward toward Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.
Typhoon Bavi swept into northeast Asia in mid-July with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, unraveling travel plans for thousands of passengers departing Singapore. On July 11 and 12, at least 20 flights were cancelled as the storm bore down on Japan, Taiwan, and mainland China, turning routine journeys into logistical ordeals.
Singapore Airlines absorbed the heaviest share of the cuts, scrapping four outbound flights to Shanghai on July 11 — SQ828, SQ830, SQ832, and SQ836 — along with four return services over the same two days. Two further flights on the route were rescheduled rather than cancelled outright. The airline had issued advance notice on July 10, giving passengers a narrow window to adjust. China Airlines, EVA Air, XiamenAir, Juneyao Airlines, and Air China also pulled services to Taipei and Shanghai during the same period. Changi Airport Group confirmed the breadth of the disruption when approached by The Straits Times.
The storm had already cast a shadow earlier in the week, when SIA and budget carrier Scoot cancelled at least 18 flights to Tokyo, Sapporo, Seoul, and Taipei. Bavi made landfall on Okinawa on the morning of July 11, prompting Japan's Meteorological Agency to warn of landslides and flooding across affected areas.
Passengers were advised to monitor the Changi Airport website closely, with authorities cautioning that further changes remained possible as the typhoon continued its path. The situation was fluid, and for anyone with travel booked across the region, the guidance was simple: stay alert, expect the unexpected, and keep checking with your airline.
Typhoon Bavi swept across northeast Asia in mid-July, leaving a trail of disrupted travel plans in its wake. On July 11 and 12, at least 20 flights departing from Singapore were cancelled as the storm bore down on the region with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour. The cancellations rippled across multiple carriers and destinations, turning what should have been routine journeys into logistical puzzles for thousands of passengers.
Singapore Airlines bore the brunt of the disruptions. The national carrier scrapped four flights to Shanghai on July 11 alone—SQ828, SQ830, SQ832, and SQ836—and followed up with cancellations of four return flights from Shanghai to Singapore scheduled for July 11 and 12. Two additional flights on the Singapore-Shanghai route were rescheduled rather than outright cancelled, offering some passengers a chance to reach their destinations, albeit on different days. The airline had already warned of these changes on July 10, giving travelers a day's notice to adjust their plans.
But Singapore Airlines was not alone in making cuts. China Airlines, EVA Air, XiamenAir, Juneyao Airlines, and Air China all cancelled services from Singapore to either Taipei or Shanghai during the same window. Changi Airport Group confirmed the scale of the disruption when queried by The Straits Times, noting that the cancellations spanned multiple airlines and destinations across the region. Earlier in the week, before the storm's full impact became clear, SIA and budget carrier Scoot had already cancelled at least 18 flights connecting Singapore to Tokyo, Sapporo, Seoul, and Taipei.
The typhoon itself made landfall on Okinawa, Japan's southernmost major island prefecture, on the morning of July 11. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued warnings of landslides and flooding as the system moved through, creating hazardous conditions that made flight operations untenable across the affected zones. With winds that fierce, airports had little choice but to ground aircraft and suspend operations.
Passengers caught in the cancellations were directed to monitor the Changi Airport website for updates, as airport authorities cautioned that additional flight changes could still be announced. The advisory underscored the fluid nature of the situation—as Bavi continued its path toward Taiwan and mainland China, further disruptions remained possible. For travelers who had booked flights during this period, the message was clear: expect delays, expect changes, and stay alert for updates from your airline.
Notable Quotes
Passengers were advised to check for updates on the Changi Airport website, as other flight changes could be announced.— Changi Airport Group
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why did so many airlines cancel at the same time? Was it just one storm, or were there other factors?
It was Bavi itself. When a typhoon is that strong—over 200 kilometers per hour—airports simply shut down. You can't land a plane in those conditions. So every airline operating into those airports had to cancel simultaneously.
But Singapore wasn't hit directly, was it? The storm went to Japan, Taiwan, China.
Right. But the flights were going TO those places. A plane can't depart Singapore for Shanghai if it can't land in Shanghai. The storm was in the way.
So passengers had a day's notice in some cases?
Singapore Airlines warned on July 10 about cancellations happening on July 11 and 12. That gave people time to rebook or adjust, though with 20+ flights cancelled across multiple carriers, finding alternatives wasn't easy.
What about the people who were already traveling? Were they stranded?
The source doesn't detail that, but yes—passengers already in transit or waiting at airports would have been caught. Some flights were rescheduled rather than cancelled outright, so those passengers had a path forward, even if delayed.
Did the airlines say anything about compensation or rebooking?
The reporting focuses on the cancellations themselves and the airport's advice to check for updates. The human logistics—how passengers were actually helped—isn't covered here.