Hundreds of Travelers Affected in Japan as Air Do, All Nippon, Skymark, Japan Airlines and others Face 58 Flight Cancellations 458 Delays across Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Osaka

Published on January 8, 2026

Travelers across Japan are facing a challenging day as major flight disruptions ripple through the country’s busiest aviation hubs. Operational hurdles have triggered dozens of cancellations and hundreds of delays. This situation heavily impacts transit in Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Osaka. Consequently, hundreds of passengers now find themselves stranded or waiting for updated schedules. Major carriers like All Nippon and Japan Airlines are struggling to maintain their regular departure times. Meanwhile, regional operators such as Air Do report significant interruptions, particularly on routes connecting to the north. These delays create a domino effect across the nation’s domestic network. There’s a total of 58 flight cancellations and 458 delays reported. Travelers should monitor their flight status closely before heading to the terminal. The following report details the specific impact on each airport and provides essential guidance for those currently affected by this widespread disruption.

Major Airports Affected

The disruption has been most acutely felt at the primary gateways of Japan, where the volume of grounded and delayed flights has created a ripple effect throughout the domestic network.

At Haneda Airport, the busiest airport in Tokyo, a total of 18 cancellations and 138 delays were recorded. As a critical hub for both business and leisure travel, the delays in Tokyo have caused significant bottlenecks for connecting passengers.

Further north, New Chitose Airport, serving the city of Sapporo, emerged as the most heavily impacted site. A total of 28 cancellations and 201 delays were reported today. Given that Sapporo is a key destination for regional travel, the high number of disruptions at New Chitose has left a substantial number of travelers stranded.

In the southern region, Fukuoka Airport also faced operational hurdles. In Fukuoka, 9 cancellations and 47 delays were documented, affecting several regional carriers that specialize in connecting the southern islands.

Finally, in the Kansai region near Osaka, Kansai Int’l reported 3 cancellations and 72 delays. While the cancellation count in Osaka remained lower than its counterparts in Tokyo and Sapporo, the high number of delays suggests a significant slowdown in turnaround times for aircraft operating in the area.

Impacted Airlines

The disruption was spread across a wide variety of carriers, ranging from major international airlines to low-cost regional operators. The following breakdown illustrates the specific impact on each airline:

Air Do

• Cancellations: 16 flights (8 at Haneda, 8 at New Chitose)
• Delays: 51 flights (22 at Haneda, 29 at New Chitose)

All Nippon (ANA)

• Cancellations: 7 flights (3 at Haneda, 3 at New Chitose, 1 at Kansai Int’l)
• Delays: 58 flights (34 at Haneda, 23 at New Chitose, 1 at Kansai Int’l)

Japan Airlines (JAL)

• Cancellations: 8 flights (3 at Haneda, 4 at New Chitose, 1 at Fukuoka)
• Delays: 88 flights (45 at Haneda, 39 at New Chitose, 4 at Fukuoka)

Jetstar Japan

• Cancellations: 6 flights (2 at New Chitose, 2 at Fukuoka, 2 at Kansai Int’l)
• Delays: 9 flights (7 at New Chitose, 2 at Kansai Int’l)

ANA Wings

• Cancellations: 6 flights at New Chitose
• Delays: 22 flights at New Chitose

Solaseed

• Cancellations: 4 flights at Haneda
• Delays: 3 flights at Haneda

Ibex

• Cancellations: 4 flights at New Chitose
• Delays: 0 flights reported

Skymark

• Cancellations: 1 flight at New Chitose
• Delays: 18 flights at New Chitose

Japan Transocean Air Co.

• Cancellations: 2 flights at Fukuoka
• Delays: 1 flight at Fukuoka

Japan Air Commuter

• Cancellations: 2 flights at Fukuoka
• Delays: 3 flights at Fukuoka

Oriental Air Bridge

• Cancellations: 2 flights at Fukuoka
• Delays: 4 flights at Fukuoka

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

The concentration of flight disruptions in Japan’s most popular urban centers is expected to have a noticeable effect on local tourism and hospitality sectors. In Tokyo, where hotel occupancy is typically high, the 138 delays may result in late-night check-ins and a surge in demand for airport-adjacent accommodation. In Sapporo, the significant volume of 201 delays and 28 cancellations at New Chitose could lead to a temporary decline in foot traffic for local attractions. As Sapporo serves as the gateway to Hokkaido, travelers may find their itineraries shortened or cancelled entirely, affecting regional tour operators and local dining establishments.

Similarly, in Fukuoka, the disruption of regional carriers like Japan Air Commuter and Oriental Air Bridge may hinder travel to smaller nearby islands, potentially stalling local tourism movements within the Fukuoka prefecture.

In Osaka, while the number of cancellations was minimal, the 72 delays at Kansai Int’l are likely to disrupt the schedules of tourists planning to visit the cultural landmarks of the Kansai region. The synchronization of travel plans between Osaka, Tokyo and Sapporo is vital for the tourism economy of Japan and such widespread delays can lead to a cooling of consumer confidence in regional air travel.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those currently caught in the travel disruptions across Japan, several immediate steps are recommended by aviation experts to mitigate the inconvenience.

First, passengers located in Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka or Osaka should prioritize checking their flight status via official airline mobile applications or websites. Real-time updates are essential, as delay durations can change rapidly. It is advised that travelers do not head to the airport if their flight has been confirmed as cancelled, unless instructed by the airline to do so for rebooking purposes.

Secondly, communication with the airline’s customer service desk is vital. For passengers of Air Do, All Nippon, or Japan Airlines, rebooking options may be available on subsequent flights, though availability is expected to be limited due to the volume of affected travelers. In cases where flights are delayed by several hours, passengers should inquire about meal vouchers or accommodation assistance, particularly at major hubs in Tokyo and Sapporo.

Thirdly, travel insurance policies should be reviewed. Many travelers visiting Japan carry insurance that covers “travel inconvenience,” which may reimburse costs associated with significant delays or cancellations. Receipts for all essential purchases made during the delay period should be retained for future claims.

Finally, alternative transportation methods such as the Shinkansen (bullet train) may be considered for travel between Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. While this does not assist those traveling to the northern island of Sapporo, it remains a viable fallback for mainland routes. Passengers are encouraged to remain patient and professional when dealing with ground staff, as the industry works to resolve these significant operational challenges across Japan.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.