Travel in Turkey, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia in Distress as Passengers across İzmir Adnan Menderes, Istanbul, Wenzhou, Dubai and King Abdulaziz International Airport Witness over a Dozen Cancellations with over Four Hundred Delays by Pegasus, Air China, Airblue, Saudia and more, New Update – Travel And Tour World
Published on
October 12, 2025

Travel in Turkey, China, UAE and Saudi Arabia is currently in distress as passengers across major international airports witness significant disruptions. İzmir Adnan Menderes, Istanbul, Wenzhou, Dubai and King Abdulaziz International Airports are dealing with over a dozen cancellations and more than four hundred delays. Airlines such as Pegasus, Air China, Airblue, Saudia and others have been heavily impacted, causing widespread inconvenience for travelers. According to FlightAware data, there’s a total of 494 delays with 17 cancellations. These cancellations and delays are not only causing frustration but also posing a threat to the local tourism industries in these regions. Travelers are finding themselves stranded, with uncertainty about their next steps. The situation is evolving and passengers need to stay informed and take action quickly to manage their disrupted plans. This article explores the affected airports, airlines and the potential consequences for local tourism in the affected cities.
The disruptions are affecting five key international airports:
- İzmir Adnan Menderes International Airport (Turkey): The only airport in İzmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, has witnessed 1 cancellation and 40 delays across multiple flights.
- Istanbul Airport (Turkey): Turkey’s largest airport, which handles a high volume of international traffic, has also been severely impacted by 217 delays and 2 cancellations.
- Wenzhou International Airport (China): This vital airport located in Zhejiang Province has experienced 5 cancellations and 30 delays.
- Dubai International Airport (UAE): One of the busiest airports globally, Dubai International is now dealing with 6 canceled and 137 delayed flights.
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (Saudi Arabia): Serving the city of Jeddah and pilgrims traveling to Mecca, this airport too has witnessed a series of disruptions affecting travelers with 3 cancellations and 70 delays.
These airports serve as crucial international gateways, making the ongoing disruptions especially impactful for both business and leisure travelers.
Several airlines have been affected by the disruptions at these major airports, with notable cancellations and delays reported. The airlines impacted include:
- Pegasus Airlines (Turkey): Pegasus Airlines, a key low-cost carrier in Turkey, saw 1 of its flights canceled at İzmir Adnan Menderes International Airport, alongside several delays.
- Royal Jordanian (Istanbul): Royal Jordanian Airlines experienced 2 cancellations at Istanbul Airport, impacting passengers traveling to and from Amman.
- Shanghai Airlines (Wenzhou): The airline faced 2 cancellations at Wenzhou International Airport, contributing to the ongoing chaos at the airport.
- China Eastern Airlines (Wenzhou): In addition to Shanghai Airlines, China Eastern also canceled 2 flights at Wenzhou International Airport.
- Air China (Wenzhou): Air China recorded a 1 cancellation, further adding to the disruption at Wenzhou International.
- Pakistan International Airlines (Dubai): Affected by severe disruptions at Dubai International Airport, Pakistan International Airlines had 4 cancellations.
- Air India Express (Dubai): Another major player impacted at Dubai International, Air India Express had 1 flight canceled.
- Airblue (Dubai): The Pakistani airline also faced operational setbacks at Dubai International, with 1 flight canceled.
- Saudia Airlines (King Abdulaziz): Saudia Airlines faced 3 cancellations at King Abdulaziz International Airport, further contributing to the airport’s operational difficulties.
These disruptions have resulted in not only passenger inconvenience but also significant operational strain on airport staff, with passengers facing long waits and uncertainty regarding the status of their flights.
The flight disruptions at major international airports across Turkey, China, the UAE and Saudi Arabia might have a ripple effect on local tourism in the affected cities.
- Istanbul and İzmir (Turkey): Both cities are among Turkey’s most popular tourist destinations. With Istanbul serving as a major connecting hub for international travel, the disruptions could impact tourist traffic, particularly for passengers en route to nearby cultural landmarks, historic sites and coastal destinations. Similarly, İzmir, a popular gateway to the Aegean coast, will likely experience delays in local travel and excursions, leading to a downturn in day trips and tours.
- Wenzhou (China): Wenzhou, known for its rich cultural heritage and proximity to scenic spots in Zhejiang Province, may face a decline in inbound travelers as a result of the operational issues at Wenzhou International Airport. Chinese outbound tourists may also face difficulties with connections to other regions, further impacting the local tourism industry.
- Dubai (UAE): Dubai is an international tourism hotspot known for luxury shopping, business travel and year-round events. However, the ongoing flight disruptions at Dubai International Airport could deter tourists from visiting during peak seasons, as delays and cancellations often lead to missed connections, affecting their travel schedules. This could potentially reduce the volume of business travelers, as well as leisure visitors attending events and conventions.
- Jeddah (Saudi Arabia): As the gateway for millions of Muslim pilgrims visiting Mecca for religious purposes, disruptions at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah could impact the timely arrival of worshippers for religious ceremonies. In addition to religious tourism, Jeddah is a major business hub and delays at the airport could further strain tourism and business activities.
The ongoing disruptions could have a longer-term effect on the local tourism sectors, particularly in cities like Dubai, Istanbul and Jeddah, where international arrivals and departures are a primary driver of the local economy.
For passengers who are affected by the cancellations and delays at these airports, here are some essential steps to take:
- Check Flight Status Regularly: Airlines are updating flight statuses in real-time and passengers are encouraged to stay informed by regularly checking the airline’s website, mobile app, or contacting customer service. In some cases, airlines may be rebooking passengers on alternative flights.
- Know Your Rights: Passengers should familiarize themselves with the airline’s compensation policies regarding cancellations and delays. Many airlines offer compensation or alternative travel options depending on the length of the delay or the cause of the disruption.
- Rebook Flights Online: Passengers can often rebook flights online, avoiding long queues at the airport. Airlines may offer discounted or priority rebooking options to passengers whose flights were canceled.
- Seek Alternative Transportation: If delays are extended or cancellations are too frequent, passengers might consider alternative transportation options, including buses or trains to nearby cities.
- Stay in Touch with Your Hotel or Accommodation: If passengers are not able to depart as scheduled, it’s vital to keep in contact with their accommodation to modify booking dates and avoid no-show fees.
In conclusion, while the flight disruptions at İzmir Adnan Menderes, Istanbul, Wenzhou, Dubai and King Abdulaziz International airports have caused considerable distress for travelers, passengers can take proactive steps to manage their travel plans. The knock-on effects on local tourism will need to be closely monitored, particularly in these major international travel hubs, where tourism plays a significant role in the local economy.
