Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka and More Amid Christmas Travel Chaos as Passengers across Japan Face 27 Flight Cancellations and 626 Delays by All Nippon, Air Do, Japan Airlines, ANA Wings, Oriental Air Bridge and others, New Update

Published on December 25, 2025

Major aviation hubs across Japan are currently facing a logistical bottleneck during the peak holiday season. Hundreds of travelers are navigating a complex web of disruptions today. In Tokyo, Haneda Airport is experiencing the highest volume of schedule changes. Further north, the winter gateway of Sapporo has also reported significant groundings. Meanwhile, major airports in Osaka and Fukuoka are struggling to maintain their regular flight rotations. The crisis has impacted several prominent carriers, including Japan Airlines and All Nippon, both of which serve as the backbone of the nation’s transit network. Regional operators like Air Do and ANA Wings have also trimmed their schedules. Additionally, localized services from Oriental Air Bridge have faced interruptions. These 626 delays and 27 cancellations have created a challenging environment for passengers. Most travelers are now searching for alternative routes as the industry works to restore order. This report details the current operational status and offers guidance for those stranded.

Major Airports Affected

The aviation infrastructure in Japan is currently under pressure, with several key gateways reporting schedule modifications. The following airports have been identified as the most heavily impacted:

• Haneda Airport (Tokyo): As the primary gateway to the capital, Haneda has faced the most significant volume of disruptions. A total of 12 cancellations and 279 delays were reported today. Given the airport’s role as a central pillar for both domestic and international connections, the backlog here has created a cascading effect across the national network.
• New Chitose Airport (Sapporo): Serving the northern island of Hokkaido, New Chitose has recorded 7 cancellations and 119 delays. This location is particularly vital during the winter months for travelers heading to the region’s famous ski resorts and festive markets.
• Fukuoka Airport (Fukuoka): In the Kyushu region, Fukuoka has seen 5 cancellations and 70 delays. The disruptions here have primarily affected regional routes and connections to the southern islands.
• Kansai International Airport (Osaka): The primary international hub for the Kansai region reported 2 cancellations and 103 delays, impacting long-haul travelers and those moving through the Osaka area.
• Itami Airport (Osaka): The domestic-focused airport in Osaka recorded 1 cancellation and 55 delays, further straining the travel corridor between the Kansai and Kanto regions.

Impacted Airlines

The disruptions have been widespread, affecting a diverse array of carriers ranging from major flag carriers to regional specialists and international operators.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon (ANA) have both reported significant challenges. At Haneda, Japan Airlines was forced to manage 3 cancellations and 132 delays, while All Nippon saw 3 cancellations and 73 delays. These figures highlight the scale of the operational hurdle facing the country’s two largest airlines during the busiest travel window of the year.

Regional carriers have also been notably affected. Air Do, which provides critical links to Sapporo, recorded 5 cancellations and 22 delays at Haneda, alongside 3 cancellations and 12 delays at New Chitose. ANA Wings reported service interruptions at both New Chitose and Itami, totaling 2 cancellations and 22 delays across the two sites. In the southern regions, Oriental Air Bridge grounded 3 flights and delayed 2 in Fukuoka, while Japan Transocean Air Co. faced 2 cancellations and 4 delays.

On the international front, Malaysia Airlines reported 2 cancellations and 1 delay at Kansai Int’l and United Airlines recorded 1 cancellation and 4 delays at Haneda.

Beyond these specific figures, delays were being experienced by several other Airlines, like Solaseed, Skymark, Delta Air Lines, Jetstar Japan, Amakusa Airlines, Peach Aviation and more.

Local Tourism and Christmas Spirit Affected

The timing of these aviation setbacks is particularly sensitive due to the Christmas Rush, a period when tourism-dependent businesses in Japan expect peak foot traffic. In Tokyo, the accumulation of over 279 delays at Haneda means that thousands of visitors are arriving significantly later than scheduled. This delay often translates into missed hotel check-in windows, cancelled dinner reservations and a reduction in evening retail spending in major districts like Ginza and Shinjuku.

In Sapporo, the cancellations are expected to have a direct impact on the Hokkaido winter tourism sector. As a primary destination for snow-related activities, any disruption in flight connectivity can lead to a temporary decrease in visitors to local resorts and the famous Christmas markets. Similarly, in Osaka and Fukuoka, the logistical bottleneck is likely to cause a ripple effect for local hospitality providers. When transit through major hubs is stalled, the planned expenditure of travelers on local transportation, dining and sightseeing is inevitably curtailed, posing a challenge to the local economies during what should be their most profitable week.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those currently navigating the travel chaos across Japan, several immediate steps are recommended by aviation experts to mitigate the impact of the delays and cancellations:

1. Monitor Flight Status Digitally: Passengers are advised to check the official mobile applications or websites of their respective airlines before departing for the airport. Real-time updates are often pushed to these platforms more quickly than they are displayed on airport monitors.
2. Verify Rebooking Options: If a flight has been cancelled, carriers such as All Nippon and Japan Airlines typically offer rebooking on the next available flight. Travelers should check if these changes can be managed via automated self-service kiosks or mobile apps to avoid long queues at service counters.
3. Confirm Accommodation and Transfers: Those facing significant delays into Tokyo, Osaka or Sapporo should proactively contact their hotels to inform them of late arrivals. Many hotels have strict policies regarding “no-shows,” and a quick call can prevent the cancellation of a room booking.
4. Understand Passenger Rights: Depending on the cause of the disruption, passengers may be entitled to meal vouchers or, in cases of overnight delays, hotel accommodations provided by the airline. It is essential to keep all receipts for essential expenses incurred due to the delay for potential future claims.

As the day progresses, the focus for the Japanese aviation sector remains on clearing the backlog of 626 delayed flights and ensuring that passengers reach their destinations as safely and efficiently as possible during this holiday season.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.