As of 20 October 2026, 13:00 (UTC+7). Items 1, 2, 3 and 5 were re-checked between 13:04 and 13:08 UTC+7 on 20 October 2026; other sources were last checked between 08:46 and 09:10 UTC+7 that day. Several of these events are still developing. Always check the linked official source before you travel.
This round-up covers travel disruptions and eSIM-market changes from 13 to 20 October 2026. We include only items we could confirm from official or reliable sources. This is not official guidance. Your airline, the local authorities and the national weather service have the final word.
Key takeaways
- Saudi Arabia / Qatar: on 19 October, Qatar Airways said Riyadh and Dammam flights remain cancelled until, and including, 24 October, and Jeddah is cut from seven to four daily flights.
- Okinawa, Japan: JMA warns of high waves and strong winds around the Nansei (Southwest) Islands from Typhoon No.30 (Champi), with warning-level vigilance from 21 October.
- Thailand: TMD warns of heavy to very heavy rain from 21 to 25 October, including Bangkok and nearby areas, with a flash-flood warning.
- Italy: a national general strike on 30 October affects air, rail and taxis. CGIL has called another general strike for 20 November.
- Also this week: rough seas forecast in the northern South China Sea, Singapore haze, a corrected JMA earthquake alert, an Azores ground-handling strike, 40 cancellations at Incheon on 18 October, and two eSIM launches: Holafly Ultra (13 October) and Nomad Pass (20 October, per Nomad’s help center).
At a glance
| # | What | Where | Dates | Official / primary source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar Airways suspends Riyadh and Dammam flights; Jeddah reduced | Saudi Arabia, Qatar | Until 24 Oct | QNA |
| 2 | Typhoon No.30 (Champi): high waves and wind | Okinawa’s Nansei Islands; northern South China Sea | 20–24 Oct | JMA, VNMHA |
| 3 | Heavy to very heavy rain; flash-flood warning | Thailand, including Bangkok | 20–25 Oct | TMD No.7 |
| 4 | General strikes (air, rail, taxis) | Italy | 29–30 Oct; 20 Nov | MIT strike register |
| 5 | Haze, Moderate to Unhealthy | Singapore | 19–22 Oct | MSS/NEA |
| 6 | False M9.9 earthquake early warning (cancelled) | Japan | 16 Oct (over) | JMA |
| 7 | SATA ground-handling strike | Azores, Portugal | 21 Oct–3 Nov | Azores Airlines |
| 8 | Nomad Pass launches (per Nomad’s help center) | eSIM market | From 20 Oct | Nomad help center |
| 9 | Holafly launches Holafly Ultra | eSIM market | From 13 Oct | Holafly |
| 10 | 40 flights cancelled at Incheon (past event) | South Korea | 18 Oct (over) | Maeil Business |
Travel disruptions
1. Qatar Airways keeps Riyadh and Dammam flights suspended until 24 October; Jeddah cut (Qatar / Saudi Arabia)
What you need to know now: on 19 October, Qatar Airways said flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam remain cancelled until, and including, 24 October 2026, and Jeddah services have been cut from seven to four daily flights (Qatar Airways on X, 19 Oct 2026; also reported by the Qatar News Agency).
Who is affected: anyone flying Qatar Airways to or from Riyadh, Dammam or Jeddah.
What to do: – Check your booking and flight status directly with Qatar Airways before you go to the airport. – If your booking is affected, ask your airline or travel agent about rebooking options. – Keep mobile data on so you get airline messages and gate changes.
Staying connected: for Qatar, see TravelyData Qatar eSIM. If your route changes, check that your eSIM covers the new country. Check the live price on the product page before you buy. For travel tips, see our guide to Doha Metro cards and cashless payments in Qatar.
2. Typhoon No.30 (Champi): high waves around Okinawa and rough seas in the northern South China Sea (Japan / Vietnam)
Where the storm is now: at 12:00 JST on 20 October, JMA analysed Typhoon No.30 as a large, very strong typhoon east of the Philippines, at 16.2°N 134.9°E, moving west-northwest at 20 km/h. Its central pressure was 945 hPa, with maximum sustained winds of 50 m/s near the centre and gusts of 70 m/s (JMA typhoon information, issued 20 Oct 2026, 12:45 JST).
JMA’s track forecast: JMA forecasts the typhoon to be south of Okinawa at 09:00 JST on 23 October (very strong, 940 hPa, probability circle 150 km) and over the East China Sea at 09:00 JST on 24 October (strong, 955 hPa, probability circle 230 km). This is JMA’s forecast; other agencies’ forecasts differ, and it can change with each new advisory.
What you need to know now (Okinawa): JMA says swells from Typhoon No.30 are building around the Nansei (Southwest) Islands. It advises caution for high waves today (20 October), warning-level vigilance for high waves from 21 October, and caution for strong winds through 21 October. It forecasts waves of 6 m around Okinawa (JMA short-range forecast commentary, 20 Oct 2026, 03:40 JST).
Northern South China Sea (Vietnam’s forecast): at 10:02 on 20 October, Vietnam’s official weather agency (VNMHA), citing the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), said Champi may strengthen to level 17 in the next 24 hours and stay at level 16–17 until the afternoon of 22 October. It put the probability of the storm entering the northeastern East Sea (South China Sea) at under 10%. Around 21 October, winds of level 6 are expected in the northeast and north of the East Sea, and on 23–24 October northeast winds of level 6–7, gusting to level 9–10, with waves of 3–5 m (VNMHA, 20 Oct 2026, 10:02). For background, see our earlier advisory on flash floods in northern Vietnam.
Who is affected: travelers to Okinawa’s outer islands and anyone planning ferries, boat trips or cruises in these sea areas later this week.
Forecasts can change. Check the official page for the latest update.
What to do: – Check the JMA live typhoon map every day. – Check with your airline and ferry operator before you travel. Do not go to the coast to watch the waves. – Download offline maps and keep your phone charged in case of power or network outages.
Staying connected: for Japan, see TravelyData Japan eSIM. For Vietnam, see TravelyData Vietnam eSIM. Check the live price on each page before you buy.
3. Thailand: heavy to very heavy rain and flash-flood warning, 20–25 October, including Bangkok
What you need to know now: the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) advisory No.7 (266/2026), “Heavy to Very Heavy Rains in Thailand”, is still TMD’s latest advisory. It took effect on 20 October at 05:00, and the next issue is due on 20 October at 17:00. On 20 October it forecasts continuous rain with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the South and the East. From 21 to 25 October, it forecasts increasing rain with isolated heavy to very heavy rain and gusty winds in the lower Northeast, the Central region including Bangkok and vicinity, the East and the upper South (TMD advisory No.7; TMD advisory list).
TMD’s advisory includes a flash-flood warning. Waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand may be higher than 3 m.
Who is affected: travelers in and around Bangkok, the eastern seaboard, the lower Northeast and the upper South, especially anyone planning boat trips or island transfers.
What to do: – Follow TMD’s latest advisory before you travel. – Allow extra time for airport transfers; roads can flood quickly in heavy rain. – Check with boat and ferry operators before island trips. – Keep data on for weather alerts and ride-hailing, and save offline maps.
Staying connected: see TravelyData Thailand eSIM. Check the live price on the product page before you buy.
4. Italy: national general strike on 30 October (air, rail, taxis); CGIL general strike on 20 November
What you need to know now: Italy’s official strike register, run by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) and updated on 20 October, lists these strikes (MIT strike register):
- 30 October 2026, USB national general strike:
- Air transport: 00:00–23:59 on 30 October.
- Rail: from 21:00 on 29 October to 20:59 on 30 October.
- Taxis: 00:01–23:59 on 30 October.
- Local public transport: times are set locally.
- 30 October, Pisa and Florence airports: staff of Toscana Aeroporti, GH Toscana and Consulta plan a 24-hour strike, 00:00–23:59.
- 20 November 2026: on 19 October, the CGIL union called a national general strike of public and private sectors for the whole working day of 20 November.
Already happened: easyJet staff in Italy went on strike on 16 October, and Italy’s civil aviation authority ENAC published a list of guaranteed flights (ENAC; Sky TG24). For more on Italy transit, see our earlier Venice waterway-protest transit advisory.
What to do: – If you fly or take a train on 29–30 October, check with your airline or rail operator now. – Ask about rebooking options before the strike day. – Check the strike register again before you travel, because strikes can be changed or called off.
Staying connected: see TravelyData Italy eSIM. If your plans change and you travel on to other countries, see the European Union and United Kingdom eSIM and check its list of supported countries. Check the live price on each page before you buy.
5. Singapore: haze forecast Moderate to Unhealthy; smoke from Kalimantan may return
What you need to know now: Singapore’s Meteorological Service and National Environment Agency (NEA) said in their 19 October update that the PSI forecast for 20 October is 90–160 (Moderate to Unhealthy) (MSS/NEA haze update, 19 Oct 2026).
At 2 pm Singapore time on 20 October (13:00 UTC+7), NEA’s 24-hour PSI readings by region were (NEA PSI data via data.gov.sg):
| Region | 24-hr PSI (2 pm SGT, 20 Oct) |
|---|---|
| North | 89 |
| South | 103 |
| West | 136 |
| East | 104 |
| Central | 122 |
Check haze.gov.sg for the latest readings and what they mean for your health.
The same update said winds are likely to turn east-southeasterly from the night of 20 October until Thursday, 22 October, which may bring smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan towards Singapore.
Who is affected: visitors to Singapore.
What to do: – Check current readings and health advice on weather.gov.sg and NEA’s official haze channels. – Plan indoor options for outdoor days, and carry any medication you need. – Ask your doctor for advice if you have a breathing condition.
Staying connected: see TravelyData Singapore eSIM. Check the live price on the product page before you buy.
6. Japan: JMA’s false M9.9 earthquake early warning (16 October)
What you need to know now: this event is over. There was no M9.9 earthquake.
At 12:40 JST on 16 October 2026, JMA issued an Earthquake Early Warning for Hokkaido to the Chubu region that overestimated the quake at M9.9. JMA has apologised (JMA press release, 16 Oct 2026).
JMA cancelled the warning at about 12:48 JST. The real earthquake was near Kamchatka. It registered only intensity 1 in Hakodate, and JMA said there was no tsunami risk (NHK World, 16 Oct 2026).
JMA said one of the causes was that distant stations were used in the magnitude calculation, because a safeguard meant to exclude stations more than 700 km away did not work. An emergency fix was applied at about 21:30 JST on 16 October, and the investigation continues (JMA; TBS News Dig).
What to do: – Keep emergency alerts turned on in your phone settings. Real alerts can save lives. – If you get an alert, protect yourself first, then check JMA or NHK for updates. – Keep enough data on your plan so you can check official updates quickly.
Staying connected: see TravelyData Japan eSIM, and our guide on how to check your remaining eSIM data.
7. Portugal (Azores): SATA ground-handling strike, 21 October to 3 November
What you need to know now: SATA ground-handling staff in the Azores are due to strike every day: – 21–27 October: 07:30–10:30. – 28 October–3 November: 16:00–19:00.
SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines flights may be disrupted (Azores Airlines contingency page).
Who is affected: travelers flying to, from or between the Azores islands with SATA Air Açores or Azores Airlines.
What to do: – Check your flight status with the airline before you leave for the airport, especially during the strike hours. – Rebooking terms are on the airline’s page. Check them there rather than relying on third-party summaries. – Allow extra time at the airport.
Staying connected: TravelyData has a dedicated Azores eSIM, which lists the Azores as its supported area. Check the live price on the product page before you buy.
eSIM market changes
These are product updates from other eSIM providers. They are reported neutrally, using each company’s own pages. Prices are as shown on the date checked and may change.
8. Nomad Pass launches, per Nomad’s help center (20 October)
Nomad’s help center gives 20 October 2026 as the launch date of Nomad Pass, which is available only in the Nomad app. It replaces Nomad’s old 1 GB Europe 35-country pass, which is being retired (Nomad help center).
Prices as listed in Nomad’s help center (USD, checked 20 Oct 2026, about 09:05 UTC+7):
| Term | Single Destination | Regional |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | USD 5 | USD 7 |
| 90 days | USD 14 | USD 19 |
| 180 days | USD 27 | USD 37 |
| 365 days | USD 49 | USD 68 |
These prices come from Nomad’s help center, not from the in-app checkout, and we have not confirmed the product is live in the app. Check the app for the final price before you buy.
What it means for travelers: if you compare plans, look at what is included, where it works, and how long the plan runs, not only the price.
9. Holafly launches Holafly Ultra (13 October)
On 13 October 2026, Holafly launched Holafly Ultra, which joins its Light and Unlimited plans. Ultra combines unlimited data in 160+ destinations with health, wellbeing and travel-disruption support (Holafly press release; Holafly plans; TechRadar).
Holafly’s pricing page showed Ultra at EUR 84.90 per month, billed monthly, when we checked it on 20 October 2026 at 08:58 (UTC+7) (Holafly plans).
What it means for travelers: read the provider’s terms for details such as hotspot use and fair-use rules before you buy.
TravelyData plans: see TravelyData’s global eSIM. Check the page for its supported countries and the live price before you buy. You can also read how to choose an eSIM for global travel.
Also this week: past event
10. South Korea: 40 flights cancelled at Incheon on 18 October
What you need to know now: this item covers flight cancellations on 18 October 2026.
Incheon International Airport Corporation counted 40 cancelled flights on 18 October 2026: 36 were cancelled in advance and 4 on the day (Kyunghyang; Maeil Business).
What to do: – If your flight was cancelled on 18 October and you have not been rebooked, contact your airline. – Check your flight status in your airline’s app before you leave for the airport.
Staying connected: see TravelyData South Korea eSIM. Check the live price on the product page before you buy.
How to stay connected when travel plans change
Check your phone supports eSIM
Not every phone supports eSIM, and some phones are locked to one carrier. Check before you buy. Our help article eSIM Compatible Devices: Check if Your Phone Supports eSIM lists iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Xiaomi and Oppo models, and explains how to check whether your phone is unlocked on iOS and Android.
Install before you leave
TravelyData sends your eSIM as a QR code by email. Install it before you travel, while you are on reliable Wi-Fi. Android users can follow our guide to installing an eSIM on Android (Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi and Oppo). On an iPhone, follow your phone’s own eSIM setup steps.
Check remaining data and validity
When delays add days to a trip, check how much data and how many days you have left. See how to check your remaining eSIM data and when your eSIM validity period starts.
Re-plan your itinerary
If your route changes, update your itinerary, save your new bookings offline, and share the new plan with your travel companions.
Where to check official updates
- Saudi Arabia / Qatar: Qatar Airways on X, Qatar News Agency, Saudi Press Agency, and your airline’s own travel alerts.
- Japan: JMA live typhoon map, JMA forecast commentary, NHK World.
- Vietnam / South China Sea: VNMHA.
- Thailand: TMD warnings.
- Italy: MIT strike register, ENAC.
- Singapore: Meteorological Service Singapore / NEA.
- Azores: Azores Airlines.
- South Korea: your airline and Incheon Airport’s flight-status pages.
- Everywhere: your own government’s travel advisory, the national weather agency, and your airline’s and airport’s flight-status pages.
FAQ
What are the biggest travel disruptions this week?
For 13–20 October 2026: Qatar Airways suspended Riyadh and Dammam flights until 24 October; JMA warned of high waves around Okinawa’s Nansei Islands from Typhoon No.30; Thailand’s TMD forecast heavy rain including Bangkok to 25 October; and Italy has a national general strike on 30 October. Check each official source before travelling.
Are Qatar Airways flights to Riyadh suspended?
Yes. As of 19 October 2026, Qatar Airways had extended its suspension of flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam until 24 October, and reduced Jeddah from seven daily flights to four, according to the Qatar News Agency. Check with Qatar Airways directly for the latest status.
Is Typhoon Champi affecting Okinawa or Vietnam?
Japan’s Meteorological Agency advised caution for high waves around the Nansei Islands on 20 October, with warning-level vigilance from 21 October. Vietnam’s weather agency forecast northeast winds of level 6–7, gusting 9–10, and waves of 3–5 m in the northern East Sea on 23–24 October. Check JMA and VNMHA updates daily.
Is there a flash-flood warning in Thailand?
Yes. Thailand’s Meteorological Department advisory No.7, issued 20 October 2026, warns of heavy to very heavy rain from 21 to 25 October, including Bangkok and vicinity, with a flash-flood warning and waves above 3 m in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf. Follow TMD’s latest advisory before travelling.
When is the Italy general strike in October 2026?
Italy’s strike register lists a USB national general strike on 30 October 2026. Air transport is affected all day, rail from 21:00 on 29 October to 20:59 on 30 October, and taxis all day; local transport times are set locally. CGIL has also called a national general strike for 20 November.
Is there haze in Singapore this week?
Singapore’s NEA forecast a 24-hour PSI of 90–160 (Moderate to Unhealthy) for 20 October 2026. It said winds turning east-southeasterly from the night of 20 October to 22 October may bring smoke haze from Kalimantan. Check weather.gov.sg and NEA for current readings and health advice.
Was there a real M9.9 earthquake in Japan?
No. On 16 October 2026, JMA issued an earthquake early warning that overestimated a quake at M9.9, then cancelled it at about 12:48 JST and apologised. The real earthquake was near Kamchatka, registered intensity 1 in Hakodate, and JMA said there was no tsunami risk.
What is the new Nomad Pass?
Nomad’s help center says its app-only Nomad Pass launches on 20 October 2026 and that the old 1 GB Europe pass will be retired. It lists Single Destination prices from USD 5 for 30 days to USD 49 for 365 days, and Regional prices from USD 7 to USD 68 (as checked 20 October).
Will my eSIM still work if my trip is rerouted?
Only in the countries your plan covers, so check the list on the product page. For example, the Portugal eSIM lists Portugal, and the Middle East & North Africa eSIM lists Qatar and Saudi Arabia among others. If your trip is rerouted, add a plan for any new country and install it on Wi-Fi first.
How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
Not every phone supports eSIM, and some phones are locked to one carrier, so check before you buy. TravelyData’s list of eSIM-compatible devices covers iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Xiaomi and Oppo models. It also explains how to confirm your phone is carrier-unlocked on iOS and Android.
When should I install a travel eSIM?
Install it before you travel, while you are on reliable Wi-Fi. TravelyData sends your eSIM as a QR code by email, so you can set it up at home and switch it on when you land. For details, see when your eSIM validity period starts.
Where can I check official travel advisories?
Check your own government’s travel advisory, the national weather or meteorological agency for your destination, and your airline’s and airport’s flight-status pages. The official sources we link in each item above are a good place to start: for example, JMA for Japan, TMD for Thailand, VNMHA for Vietnam’s seas, and Italy’s MIT strike register.
Last updated: 20 October 2026, 13:00 (UTC+7). Sources accessed 20 October 2026, 08:46–09:10 and 13:04–13:08 (UTC+7). This article is for general information. It is not official travel advice. Always follow the instructions of local authorities, your airline and the official sources linked above.
