Typhoon Maysak Hits Hainan -- Flights, Trains, and Ferries Disrupted -- What Foreign Travelers Must Know (July 2026)
Typhoon Maysak made landfall in Hainan on July 3, 2026, suspending all flights at Sanya airport, high-speed trains, and ferries. Flights resumed July 4. Here is what foreign travelers in Hainan need to know.
Key takeaway
Typhoon Maysak made landfall on Hainan Island's southeastern coast near Lingshui at approximately 6:20 PM on July 3, 2026, with winds reaching 23 m/s (51 mph). Sanya Phoenix International Airport suspended all flights from 5:00 PM Friday, cancelling 92 flights by midday. All high-speed rail and ferry services to and from Hainan were suspended. Flights resumed at Sanya airport at 6:00 AM on Saturday, July 4, as the storm weakened. Travelers should confirm flight and train status directly with operators before traveling, and expect residual delays and heavy rain through the weekend.
Full report
What Changed
The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) upgraded the typhoon alert from Level IV to Level III at 6:30 AM on Friday, July 3, 2026, and renewed a yellow alert for Typhoon Maysak later that day. The storm made landfall near Yelin Township in Lingshui Li Autonomous County on Hainan's southeastern coast at approximately 6:20 PM local time (1020 GMT) on July 3, 2026, according to the National Meteorological Center.
Wind speeds near the storm's center reached 23 meters per second (51 mph / 83 km/h). The typhoon brought torrential rain not only to Hainan but also to neighboring Guangdong Province, Guizhou Province, Hunan Province, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
The Hainan Provincial Disaster Reduction Committee activated a Level IV flood and wind emergency response. All train services to and from Hainan were suspended for Friday and Saturday, and ferry services connecting the island to the mainland were halted. Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) suspended takeoffs and landings from 5:00 PM on July 3, with 92 flights already cancelled by 11:30 AM. Major carriers including Aeroflot adjusted their Sanya flight schedules on July 3 and 4, according to flight tracking reports.
By 6:00 AM on Saturday, July 4, flights resumed at Sanya airport as Typhoon Maysak weakened, according to Xinhua News Agency. However, the CMA's yellow alert and flood warnings remained in effect for parts of southern China, and travelers should expect residual delays on rail and ferry services.
What to do next
- Check your flight status immediately via your airline's app or website and request rebooking if cancelled. 2. If flights from Sanya are full, consider Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) as an alternative departure point. 3. Contact your travel insurance provider to file a claim for typhoon-related cancellations or delays. 4. Monitor the China Meteorological Administration website for updated weather alerts. 5. If you have upcoming Hainan travel plans, wait 24-48 hours before making final decisions as transport recovers.
What may vary
Flight restoration timelines depend on individual airline schedules and crew positioning -- not all airlines resumed overnight on July 4. High-speed rail restoration depends on infrastructure inspection results and may resume in stages. Hainan's visa-free entry ports may operate at reduced capacity if airport immigration systems were affected. Flooding in low-lying areas (Sanya, Lingshui, Wanning) may persist 24-48 hours after the storm, affecting local road access.
FAQ
Is Sanya Phoenix International Airport open after Typhoon Maysak?
Yes. Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) resumed flights at 6:00 AM on Saturday, July 4, 2026, after Typhoon Maysak weakened. Airlines are clearing backlogs -- confirm your specific flight before heading to the airport.
Are high-speed trains to and from Hainan running after the typhoon?
All round-island high-speed rail and intercity trains to/from Hainan were suspended on Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4, 2026. Services resume in stages as track inspections complete. Check the 12306 English app or Trip.com for latest updates.
Will travel insurance cover typhoon-related flight cancellations in Hainan?
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover trip cancellations and delays caused by severe weather including typhoons. Typhoon Maysak is an officially declared weather event by the China Meteorological Administration. Document communications and file a claim promptly.
Can I still enter Hainan visa-free after Typhoon Maysak?
Yes. Hainan's 30-day visa-free policy for passport holders from 59 countries remains unchanged. Entry ports at Sanya and Haikou airports may experience processing delays due to the storm's aftermath. Allow extra time for immigration.
Is Sanya Phoenix International Airport open now?
Yes. Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) resumed flights at 6:00 AM on Saturday, July 4, 2026, after Typhoon Maysak weakened. Airlines are clearing a backlog of cancelled flights -- confirm your specific flight with your airline before heading to the airport.
Will my travel insurance cover typhoon-related flight cancellations in Hainan?
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover trip cancellations and delays caused by severe weather events, including typhoons. Typhoon Maysak is an officially declared weather event by the China Meteorological Administration. Document all communications with your airline and hotel, save your cancellation notices, and file a claim as soon as possible.
Can I still enter Hainan visa-free after the typhoon?
Yes. Hainan's 30-day visa-free policy for passport holders from 59 countries remains unchanged. However, entry ports at Sanya and Haikou airports may experience processing delays due to the storm's aftermath. Allow extra time for immigration and confirm with your airline that arrival procedures are operating normally.