Taipei: Airlines in Taiwan canceled dozens of domestic and international flights scheduled for Friday and Saturday as Typhoon Bavi approached the island, with further disruptions possible as the storm moved closer. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Bavi was centered about 870 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point, according to the Central Weather Administration.
According to Focus Taiwan, EVA Air announced the cancellation of most flights at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport from 6 p.m. Friday through the end of Saturday. They also suspended Kaohsiung flights from 3 p.m. Friday through Saturday. However, four long-haul departures from Taoyuan to New York, Toronto, Washington, and Dallas will continue as scheduled.
Tigerair Taiwan reported the cancellation of multiple Friday flights on routes linking Taiwan with Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. The budget carrier adjusted some flight schedules, moving up departures and postponing the Taoyuan-Fukushima round-trip service until Sunday. Starlux Airlines warned of potential delays, rescheduling, or cancellations for flights from Thursday through Sunday.
Singapore Airlines canceled two Taipei-Singapore flights scheduled for Saturday, while Thai Vietjet Air reported cancellations on routes between Taiwan and Bangkok, Sapporo, Okinawa, and Osaka from Thursday through Saturday. Cathay Pacific Airways also faced disruptions, canceling multiple flights between Hong Kong and Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, along with some Taiwan-Japan services on Saturday and two Taiwan-Hong Kong flights on Sunday.
Domestic carriers were not spared from the widespread suspensions. UNI Air announced the progressive cancellation of flights on Friday, including services linking Taipei Songshan and Taichung with Matsu, and routes connecting western Taiwan cities with Penghu and Kinmen. All domestic flights on Saturday will be canceled. Mandarin Airlines added extra Friday morning flights from Taipei to Kinmen and from Kaohsiung to Penghu before canceling many domestic services later. They also confirmed the suspension of all domestic flights on Saturday.
Airlines urged travelers scheduled to fly over the next two days to monitor the latest updates through airline websites and mobile apps.