China: Flight disruptions at Beijing International Airport (PEK) due to snow December 16

Event

The Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) announced flight disruptions at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) on Monday, December 16, due to heavy snowfall. At 23:00 (local time) on Sunday, December 15, airport authorities canceled at least 42 flights scheduled on Monday. CAAC officials have said that more snow is expected through Monday; flight disruptions including delays and cancelations are anticipated in the coming hours. Furthermore, CAAC officials said that low visibility is affecting airports in eastern China, including in Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Harbin.

While buses and airport express trains are operating normally, inter-provincial bus routes are closed at high speed due to the extreme weather. Further transportation disruptions are expected in the coming hours, as well as power and telecommunications disruptions. 

Advice

Individuals in Beijing, and eastern China more generally, are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm their flight status, contact the airport for more information, anticipate disruptions to power, telecommunications, and transportation, including adverse driving conditions, icy roads, and limited visibility.