Taiwan cancels over 600 flights as Typhoon Champi nears on October 23
Most of Taiwan closes schools and offices as weakening Typhoon Champi threatens torrential rain and strong winds despite no direct landfall forecast
- On October 23, Taiwan cancelled over 600 flights, including all 262 domestic flights and more than 350 international services, due to the approach of Typhoon Champi.
- In addition to flight cancellations, the typhoon prompted the closure of financial markets, schools, and offices across most of the island.
- Although the storm was weakening and not expected to make direct landfall, it was still forecast to bring strong winds with gusts of around 191 km/h and torrential rain.
Typhoon Champi prompted widespread closures in Taiwan on Friday, October 23, 2026, with more than 600 flights cancelled and financial markets due to remain closed. Although weakening and not expected to make direct landfall, Champi was forecast to bring strong winds and torrential rain.
Taiwan cancels all domestic flights and closes markets
Taiwan’s transport ministry reported the cancellation of all 262 domestic flights and more than 350 international services scheduled for October 23. Taiwan’s financial markets were also due to remain closed for the day.
Schools and offices shut across almost all of Taiwan, with normal opening scheduled only in the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, which lie close to the Chinese coast.
Taipei’s metro and other public transport continued operating with reduced services as squally showers swept through the capital.
Champi weakens but retains gusts of around 191km/h
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported gusts of around 191km/h (119mph) near Champi’s centre despite the storm’s weakening. Champi had previously reached super-typhoon strength and was among the Pacific’s strongest storms of 2026.
The CWA placed Champi about 330km (205 miles) east of Taiwan’s southern tip and put the storm’s radius at around 320km (200 miles), sufficient to cover most of Taiwan. Weather experts expected Champi’s effects on the island to last almost two days.
Taiwan’s generally high level of typhoon preparedness helps keep casualties low. Although typhoons are more common during summer, Taiwan can also experience such storms in autumn.
Champi was forecast to first pass over Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island. The CWA’s projected track showed Champi passing just off northeastern Taiwan before turning north towards the Chinese coast and eventually moving into southern Japan.
