As a political dispute between Beijing and Tokyo continues to inflame relations, Chinese media reports indicate some domestic airlines have cancelled flights on 12 of their routes to Japan – including paths to popular tourism destinations Kyoto and Osaka – with analysts predicting cancellations to rise within the week.
As of Monday morning, flights on these routes had been put on hold, according to a report from financial news outlet Yicai that cited Chinese aviation data platform DAST. Domestic media outlet The Paper, also referencing the platform’s figures, placed the total number of spiked flights at 41 across the 12 routes.
Chinese airlines operate about 30 to 40 Japan routes, with the exact number fluctuating depending on the season, according to independent aviation analyst Li Hanming. Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines – the country’s largest state-owned carriers – had cancelled many of the affected flights, he added.
While the wave of suspensions brings the cancellation rate as of Monday to about 15 per cent, Li said travel patterns could raise the number later as younger Chinese holidaymakers often flew to Japan in late December to ring in the new year.
“Most flights cancelled are towards Osaka, which is the conventional spot for tourism,” he said. “But their travel expenses are paid by their parents and were cancelled over safety concerns. There used to be many young travellers to Japan for New Year’s Eve.”
The cancellations which arose over the past week may last until March, Li said, adding the stoppage would apply to both legs of round trips on the affected routes. DAST’s data only reflects those flights arranged by domestic airlines.
