Typhoon Champi forced hundreds of flight cancellations across Taiwan and Japan this week, disrupting travel to Okinawa and surrounding islands as authorities warned of destructive winds, heavy rain and dangerous seas. The Typhoon Champi disruption peaked on 22-24 October 2026, with more than 200 cancellations reported.
Taiwan issued a land warning on Wednesday, 22 October, as the powerful typhoon approached with wind gusts exceeding 227 kilometres per hour near its centre, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration. The storm was about 520 kilometres southeast of Taiwan’s southern tip on Thursday.
Flights and ferries suspended
Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Skymark Airlines cancelled more than 100 flights between 22 and 25 October, mostly domestic services, affecting more than 11,000 passengers, according to Open Jaw. Taiwan’s transport ministry reported 125 flight cancellations on 22 October alone.
China Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan cancelled Taiwan-Okinawa services, including routes from Taoyuan, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Tainan, officials said. For 24 October, Japan Airlines cancelled flights to Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu, Yoron, Kumejima, Miyako, Tarama, Ishigaki and Yonaguni.
Ferry operator Anei Kanko suspended all routes around Ishigaki Island for 22 and 23 October, officials said. The 50th Okinawa Industrial Festival, expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from 23 to 25 October, was cancelled due to the storm.
Heavy rain and coastal warnings
Coastal communities received mobile alerts warning of waves exceeding six metres, while mountainous areas in northern Taiwan could receive almost a metre of rainfall, according to Karryon reporting. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said the storm’s wind radius had expanded to 320 kilometres.
Travellers were advised to check flight status and airline announcements before travelling to airports, officials said. Further cancellations and schedule changes remained possible as the forecast updated through the weekend.
Officials said the storm was forecast to pass close to northeastern Taiwan before moving north towards waters off China’s coast and southern Japan, with Yonaguni among the areas in its path.
Weather officials said the storm’s track would be updated every few hours, and they urged residents in Taiwan and Okinawa to secure loose objects, stock water and food, avoid coastal areas during high waves, and to follow evacuation orders if local authorities issued them for low-lying districts.
