Japan Faces Travel Dilemma as Hokkaido Air System Grounds over a Dozen Flights across Several Key Destinations of Hokkaido and Aomori, New Update

Published on December 12, 2025

Significant operational disruptions have been registered within the regional network of Hokkaido Air System (HAC), a key carrier facilitating travel across northern Japan starting on 11th and continuing on 12th December, 2025. The disruptions, characterized by numerous cancellations and delays, have severely impacted scheduled services, primarily affecting routes centered around Hokkaido and extending to the Aomori Prefecture. The total number of flight cancellations reached 18, while 16 flights were affected by delays, indicating a substantial interruption to the carrier’s schedule. This situation necessitates a detailed examination of the specific flights, routes and airports that have been impacted across the Japan region.

A Breakdown of the Affected Flights

The flight schedule clearly identifies the routes where services were interrupted. The central hub for all listed flights is Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) (OKD / RJCO), from which services radiated out to and returned from various regional destinations. The primary affected routes within Hokkaido include:

• Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) (OKD / RJCO) – Kushiro (KUH / RJCK)
• Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) (OKD / RJCO) – (SHB / RJCN)
• Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) (OKD / RJCO) – Hakodate (HKD / RJCH)
• Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) (OKD / RJCO) – Memanbetsu (MMB / RJCM)

Furthermore, a critical link connecting Hokkaido to the main Japanese island of Honshu was also affected:

• Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) (OKD / RJCO) – Misawa Air Base / Misawa (MSJ / RJSM) in Aomori Prefecture.

All scheduled services across these routes were operated using the ATR 42-600 (AT43) turboprop aircraft, an essential component of the Hokkaido Air System fleet.

Delays

The disruption to scheduled operations was further compounded by delays. A total of 16 delays were recorded, representing 47% delays rate. This suggests that nearly half of the non-cancelled flights or the overall measured operations were unable to adhere to their published timetables.

Affected Airports

The operational issues have directly impacted six airports spanning two regions of Japan. These regional gateways are vital for internal connectivity and tourism across Hokkaido and the Northern Tohoku region:

1. Okadama (Sapporo Airfield) (OKD / RJCO): Located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, this serves as the primary hub for the affected services.
2. Kushiro (KUH / RJCK): Located in Kushiro, Hokkaido.
3. Nakashibetsu (SHB / RJCN): Located in Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido.
4. Hakodate (HKD / RJCH): Located in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
5. Memanbetsu (MMB / RJCM): Located in Ōzora, Hokkaido.
6. Misawa Air Base / Misawa (MSJ / RJSM): Located in Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, Japan.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

The grounding of flights by Hokkaido Air System might have an adverse effect on local tourism. The airline’s routes serve as crucial lifelines, especially during periods when road and rail transport are hampered by seasonal weather in Hokkaido. Destinations like Kushiro, Hakodate and Nakashibetsu rely heavily on air travel to maintain visitor flow. The suspension of services, particularly the connection to Misawa in Aomori, disrupts travel for both residents and tourists moving between Hokkaido and Honshu. The region’s reputation for reliable regional air travel may be temporarily undermined, potentially affecting travel confidence in this part of Japan.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

Passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by the Hokkaido Air System cancellations and delays are advised to immediately contact the airline or their booking agent. Efforts should be focused on securing re-accommodation on the next available flight or arranging for a full refund for the grounded services. Given the concentration of issues within the Hokkaido network, passengers needing to reach Aomori or other regional destinations should explore alternative transport options, which may include connecting through larger hubs or utilizing rail services, although these may also be under pressure due to the displacement of air travellers. The importance of continually checking the official Hokkaido Air System flight status updates is paramount to managing onward travel plans effectively.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.