Japan Airlines with ANA Wings, Air Do, All Nippon Airways and others Face Travel Disruption Amid Heavy Snowfall as Airports across Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sendai Experience 42 Flight Cancellations and 1,738 Delays, New Update

Published on December 27, 2025

A severe winter weather system is currently sweeping across Japan, triggering widespread travel chaos and safety alerts. The Japan Meteorological Agency warns that heavy snowfall and violent blizzards will impact regions from western to northern Japan through December 27, 2025. This powerful system brings mountainous snow accumulations of up to 80 cm, alongside peak wind gusts reaching 126 km/h. Consequently, major carriers like Japan Airlines, ANA Wings and Air Do have already neutralized dozens of flight paths to ensure passenger safety. The disruption is felt most acutely at high-traffic hubs. Travel schedules are buckling in Tokyo and Osaka as snow blankets flatter regions. Meanwhile, northern gateways in Sapporo and Sendai prepare for even harsher conditions on Saturday. All Nippon Airways and Jetstar Japan continue to adjust operations in Fukuoka and beyond as visibility drops. Travelers must remain vigilant. High waves and potential power outages further complicate the situation across the archipelago.

Major Airports Affected

The scale of the disruption is best understood through the specific data reported from the nation’s busiest runways. The following airports were the most heavily impacted:

• New Chitose (Sapporo): Serving the northern gateway of Sapporo, this airport recorded the highest number of cancellations. A total of 14 flights were grounded, while 323 delays were experienced by passengers moving through this hub.
• Haneda Airport (Tokyo): As a primary artery for Tokyo, Haneda witnessed a staggering 596 delays—the highest volume in the country today—alongside 8 total cancellations.
• Itami Airport (Osaka): A vital link for the Kansai region and Osaka, Itami reported 11 cancellations and 183 delays, affecting a broad spectrum of domestic routes.
• Fukuoka Airport (Fukuoka): Operations in Fukuoka were hampered by 3 cancellations and 170 delays, impacting regional connectivity.
• Narita International (Tokyo): The secondary hub for Tokyo reported 3 cancellations and 241 delays, primarily affecting low-cost carrier schedules.
• Sendai Airport (Sendai): In the Tohoku region, Sendai saw 2 cancellations and 52 delays, reflecting a quieter but nonetheless disrupted schedule.
• Kansai International (Osaka): The international gateway for Osaka recorded 1 cancellation and 173 delays, adding to the logistical challenges in the region.

Impacted Airlines

The disruption has been felt across the board, with nearly every major domestic carrier and several regional players reporting significant deviations from their scheduled operations.

Japan Airlines emerged as one of the most heavily affected entities, particularly regarding the volume of delays. At Haneda Airport alone, 233 of its flights were delayed, while its operations in Sapporo saw 5 cancellations and 50 delays. In Osaka at Itami, the carrier recorded an additional 2 cancellations and 98 delays.

ANA Wings and All Nippon Airways (ANA) also faced substantial challenges. ANA Wings saw 5 cancellations in Sapporo and 6 in Osaka, while the mainline All Nippon Airways reported over 200 delays in Tokyo and additional disruptions in Sendai.

Regional specialist Air Do was notably impacted at its core hubs, recording 4 cancellations each in both Sapporo and Tokyo, with a combined total of 92 delays across those locations. Meanwhile, Jetstar Japan bore the brunt of the disruptions at Narita and Fukuoka, reporting a combined 4 cancellations and 45 delays. Other carriers, including Oriental Air Bridge, Japan Air Commuter, Japan Transocean Air Co. and Delta Air Lines, also reported individual cancellations and varying levels of delays throughout the day.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

When aviation disruptions occur on this scale, the ripple effects are inevitably felt within the local tourism sectors of the involved regions. In Sapporo, the high number of cancellations at New Chitose may result in a temporary decrease in hotel check-ins and a slowdown in visits to local attractions. Because Sapporo relies heavily on air travel for its connection to the mainland, any break in the “air bridge” is felt immediately by the hospitality industry.

Similarly, in Tokyo, the massive volume of delays at both Haneda and Narita—totaling over 800 delayed flights—creates a backlog that can disrupt tightly scheduled tour itineraries. As the capital and the most visited city in Japan, Tokyo serves as a transit point for thousands of international visitors; consequently, these delays may cause a domino effect on travel plans further afield.

In Osaka, where both Itami and Kansai International are facing hundreds of delays, the vibrant tourism market may see a slight dip in afternoon and evening activity. In Fukuoka and Sendai, the disruptions, while smaller in absolute numbers, still affect the flow of business and leisure travelers who are essential to the local economies of these regional hubs.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those currently caught in the midst of these disruptions across Japan, several immediate steps are recommended by industry experts.

Firstly, passengers are urged to monitor the live flight boards of their respective airports, whether they are in Tokyo, Sapporo, or Osaka. Digital notifications from airline mobile applications are often the fastest way to receive updates on rescheduled departure times.

Secondly, because 42 cancellations have been confirmed, those whose flights have been grounded should contact their airlines immediately. Carriers such as Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Air Do generally provide options for rebooking on the next available flight or applying for a refund, depending on the passenger’s preference and the nature of the disruption.

Thirdly, travelers are advised to keep all receipts for any expenses incurred due to significant delays. If a delay exceeds a certain timeframe, some airlines may provide meal vouchers or assistance with overnight accommodation, particularly in major hubs like Tokyo or Fukuoka.

Finally, it is recommended that passengers remain at their departure city—be it Sendai or Osaka—until a confirmed seat on a subsequent flight is secured. The high volume of 1,738 delays suggests that terminal facilities may be crowded and patience is encouraged as ground crews and airline staff work to clear the backlog and restore the flight schedules to their normal frequency across the Japanese archipelago.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.