Primary causes
Weather, airspace closure, airport capacity, technical checks, ground handling and crew shortages can delay the first flight in a chain.
FinFly Explains / Transport
Why flights are cancelled or delayed
A cancellation or delay rarely has only one cause. Aviation is a network: aircraft, crew, airport, route and usable airspace must all be available at the same time.
Reactionary delay
The same aircraft and crew normally operate several sectors a day. If the incoming flight is late, the next one starts late even when local weather is good.
Why an airline cancels instead of waiting
After a long delay, crew duty time, an airport slot or arrival before a night restriction may no longer be available. Cancelling one sector can sometimes restore the wider schedule.
Reading AZAL and other airline news
Check whether one flight, one route or a whole area is affected; whether a recovery date is given; and whether later flights remain on sale. A geopolitical route closure and a commercial cancellation are different risks.
Questions
Short answers
Why did a nearby flight leave while mine did not?
Flights can have different routes, slots, aircraft, crews and operating limits. Sharing an airport does not mean sharing all conditions.
What matters more, the cause or recovery time?
Both. The cause shows the scale of risk, while a specific timeline and booking status support a practical decision.
Does a cancellation mean an airline is in crisis?
Not necessarily. It may be a narrow operational choice. A stronger warning is prolonged, widespread cancellation without a clear recovery plan.
Method
Primary sources
The explainer is checked against these institutional and industry sources. Links open the original material.