China’s earthquake in southwestern Sichuan province cancels 90% of flights

The rate of flight cancellations at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport was 88% and that of Chengdu Tianfu International Airport was 96%, according to Flight Master.

Some 90% of flights in southwestern China’s Sichuan province have been grounded after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Nine out of 10 flights of Sichuan’s airports were called off as of 2.30 p.m. Monday, according to data provided by Flight Master. The suspension affects Ganzi’s two airports, including Kangding Airport and Ganzi Gesar Airport, as well as others in the province.

The strong earthquake hit the area at 12.52 p.m. and the epicenter was 226 kilometers away from Chengdu. Several residents of the provincial capital said the quake was felt in the city’s urban area.

The natural disaster adds to the province’s list of canceled flights due to Covid-19 outbreaks. The rate of flight cancelations at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport was 88% and that of Chengdu Tianfu International Airport was 96%, according to Flight Master.