Travel Halted across Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Miyazaki City as Passengers in Japan Face over a Dozen Flight Cancellations by Air Do, Oriental Air Bridge and others, New Update

Published on December 1, 2025

Today, unexpected flight disruptions hit several key airports across Japan. Travelers suddenly faced massive scheduling headaches due to numerous cancellations and delays. The operational chaos primarily centered on four major transport hubs, impacting hundreds of passengers. Specifically, airports serving Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Miyazaki City all reported significant issues. A total of 18 flights were abruptly cancelled. Furthermore, an astonishing 156 flights suffered delays, proving the schedule was severely fractured. Three airlines—Air Do, Garuda Indonesia and Oriental Air Bridge—were identified as the carriers primarily responsible for these cancellations. Consequently, this sudden upheaval means passengers must now confirm their status directly with the airlines.

Major Airports Affected

Travel plans were severely impacted at four specific airports, where operational capacity was notably curtailed.

At Haneda Airport in Tokyo, the total number of cancellations reached 7 flights, but the most severe issue reported was the delay figure, with 91 flights being affected today. Haneda, a critical gateway for both international and domestic flights, was the most delay-ridden facility among the group. Meanwhile, in northern Japan, New Chitose, the primary airport serving Sapporo, was forced to manage 6 flight cancellations and an additional 30 delays.

Further south, at Fukuoka Airport in Fukuoka, 3 flight cancellations were documented. Similar to the situation in Tokyo, a high number of delays was reported, reaching 32 flights. Finally, at Miyazaki Airport, which serves Miyazaki City and the surrounding region, 2 cancellations were recorded, accompanied by 3 delays. The overall operational statistics clearly illustrate that passenger journeys were overwhelmingly affected by delays today, necessitating patience and flexibility from all travelers passing through these facilities.

Impacted Airlines

Three distinct air carriers were cited as being responsible for all cancellations across the affected airports.

The most significant number of cancellations was attributed to Air Do, a regional carrier focused on routes connecting Honshu and Hokkaido. Air Do was forced to cancel 6 flights at Haneda Airport in Tokyo and an identical 6 cancellations were reported under their operation at New Chitose in Sapporo. Interestingly, no delays were specifically attributed to Air Do at either of these two airports in this reporting.

Oriental Air Bridge was the second affected carrier. Five cancellations were registered under this airline’s operations: 3 cancellations were documented at Fukuoka Airport and a further 2 cancellations were reported at Miyazaki Airport in Miyazaki City. As with Air Do’s cancellations, no associated delays were reported for Oriental Air Bridge. The third affected airline reported was Garuda Indonesia, an international carrier. This airline was attributed 1 cancellation and 2 delays at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, confirming that the disruption was not limited to domestic routes within Japan.

Beyond these specific figures, delays were being experienced by several other Airlines, like All Nippon, Japan Airlines, Japan Air Commuter and more.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

The concentration of flight disruptions in key urban and tourist centers suggests a significant setback for local tourism. When cancellations are announced, visitors destined for Tokyo and Sapporo are immediately prevented from reaching their destinations, resulting in lost hotel bookings, tour cancellations and frustrated travel experiences. The 6 cancellations in Sapporo are certain to have restricted access to Hokkaido, a major tourism region in Japan.

Similarly, the combination of 3 cancellations and 32 delays at Fukuoka Airport, a vital hub for Kyushu, means both inbound and outbound tourist flow was constrained. This disruption impacts both the arrival of tourists and the schedules of local residents attempting to travel elsewhere. Though the raw numbers are smaller, the 2 cancellations in Miyazaki City will also have resulted in immediate complications for those travelers who were depending on those specific flights. The high volume of delays, particularly the 91 at Haneda (Tokyo), also implies that connecting flights and onward domestic transport across Japan were likely missed, creating a ripple effect of chaos for thousands of people.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

Passengers whose travel plans have been compromised by today’s disruptions are strongly advised to adhere to a specific course of action. Firstly, the status of all flights should be confirmed directly with the respective airlines—Air Do, Garuda Indonesia and Oriental Air Bridge—before proceeding to the airport. The provision of official guidance regarding rebooking or refund procedures will be handled by these carriers.

Secondly, where flights were delayed, travelers should ensure that a sufficient time margin is maintained for any onward connections, especially if traveling beyond the affected airports in Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka or Miyazaki City. In cases of cancellation, alternative travel arrangements, such as high-speed rail (Shinkansen), should be explored, although capacity on these services may be strained due to the sudden surge in demand caused by the widespread aviation issues. Accurate and up-to-date information regarding compensation eligibility and subsequent travel options is expected to be released by the airlines in the coming hours and these announcements should be closely monitored.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.