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  • Category: News

On April 25, 2026, Kunming Changshui International Airport was hit by severe convective weather, leading to widespread flight disruptions and temporary infrastructure issues. Here is a detailed overview of what happened.

🌪️ What Happened: The Storm

From 00:20 to 02:56 on April 25, a strong thunderstorm with heavy hail struck the airport. The hailstones were so large and intense that they caused multiple problems at once.

✈️ Immediate Impact on Flights and Aircraft

The severe weather led to massive flight delays and cancellations, with a reported delay rate of 72%.

  • Aircraft Damage: At the time of the hailstorm, 113 aircraft were parked on the tarmac and were all hit by hail. As a safety precaution, every single one of these planes had to undergo a thorough safety inspection before being cleared to fly again, which contributed significantly to the flight backlog.

💧 The “Water Curtain” in the Terminal

Videos posted by stranded passengers showed water pouring from the ceiling in several areas of the terminal, which was quickly dubbed a "water curtain cave" by Chinese netizens.

  • The Cause: The airport explained that the volume of hail was so extreme that it blocked the siphonic drains on the terminal's roof. The rainwater immediately melted from the ice and, having nowhere to go, overflowed into the building.
  • Response: Airport staff were quick to act, and the accumulated water in the affected areas was completely cleaned up shortly after the storm passed. The leaks did not ultimately disrupt the overall flight operations order.

🔧 Emergency Response and Current Status

The airport, in coordination with various airlines and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), immediately launched an emergency response plan.

The focus now is on two key areas:

  1. Safety First: Ensuring all aircraft are safe to fly after their inspections.
  2. Passenger Assistance: Working to re-accommodate passengers on alternate flights and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

⚠️ Travel Advisory

The airport has warned that more thunderstorms are forecast for the evening of April 25 (from 18:00 to 24:00), which could cause further disruptions. Passengers are strongly advised to check their flight's status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.