Typhoon Dolphin Grounds Nearly 60% of Shanghai Flights

Shanghai's two major airports — Pudong International and Hongqiao International — operated at reduced capacity on Sunday, August 9, as Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of the year, brought persistent strong winds to the region. Nearly 60 percent of inbound and outbound flights were delayed, adjusted, or cancelled.

Flight cancellations were announced on the evening of Saturday, August 8, leading to relatively light passenger traffic at Pudong Airport on Sunday morning. However, as winds continued, more flights were scrapped throughout the day. By Sunday afternoon, Pudong had cancelled around 500 flights, while Hongqiao cancelled approximately 250. Some international flights were postponed.

Airlines set up dedicated service counters and deployed additional staff to help passengers with refunds and rebooking. Passengers described being informed of cancellations only at check-in. One traveler, part of a group of 12 heading to Dalian, said they learned of the cancellation upon arrival. Another passenger, who had taken a train from another city, noted that most flights were not operating and planned to contact the airline for rebooking.

Cao Ming, Director of the Pudong Check-in Office for China Southern Airlines' Shanghai Ground Services, said dedicated staff were guiding passengers and managing the flow of people. He added that accommodation would be arranged for those in need, with special attention to elderly passengers, children, people with medical conditions, passengers with disabilities, and pregnant women.

Foreign passengers faced additional hurdles, as many had booked through overseas platforms and could not easily contact airlines. Staff at the Passenger Service Center helped them one by one, arranging alternative flights or train tickets. An Italian passenger, whose flight to Chongqing was cancelled and who had a connecting flight to Milan, praised the assistance: "They are rearranging our flights and helping us get train tickets from the new airport station, which is really helpful."

Inside the terminals, temporary free rest areas were set up with charging sockets. Restaurants and retail outlets stocked up on hot meals, drinking water, snacks, and daily necessities.

By Sunday evening, most flights at both airports had been cancelled. Airport authorities said they would carefully review flight schedules for Monday, August 10, aiming to accommodate as many passengers as possible while ensuring safe operations.