Travelers in Japan Experience over a Dozen Flight Cancellations between Haneda and New Chitose Airport in Tokyo and Sapporo by Air Do, Update You Need to Know

Published on November 27, 2025

Air Do faced a major operational challenge starting on 26th and continuing on 27th November, 2025. They cancelled eighteen flights, creating significant disruption for travelers across Japan. This news hits travelers hard, especially those relying on the crucial air link between Tokyo and Sapporo. The core of the issue centers on the busy route connecting Haneda Airport and New Chitose Airport. This route is a vital artery for business and tourism in Japan. As a result, the widespread cancellations affected numerous passengers. This report clarifies the situation, providing necessary context for this unexpected travel setback. It’s an essential snapshot of the recent turbulence in Japan’s domestic air travel market.

A Breakdown of the Affected Flights

The 18 service cancellations represent a notable disruption to the published schedule of Air Do. The affected flights were scheduled over a two-day period, primarily utilizing the high-capacity Boeing 767-300 (B763) aircraft type. This suggests that a significant portion of the airline’s scheduled capacity between the Kanto region and Hokkaido was withdrawn.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the 1:00 PM JST service from Tokyo International (Haneda) to New Chitose Airport (ADO23 and ADO4723) was cancelled, along with the corresponding 3:10 PM JST return flights (ADO26 and ADO4726) to Haneda Airport. Similar cancellations were observed for the late afternoon and evening services, including the 6:00 PM JST departure (ADO31 and ADO4731) from Haneda Airport and the 8:10 PM JST return (ADO36 and ADO4736) from New Chitose Airport. These cancellations covered both the primary Air Do flight numbers and their associated codeshare services, which often operate under the umbrella of a larger partner carrier in Japan.

Affected Airports

The disruption was geographically isolated, exclusively impacting two major international airports.

• Tokyo International Airport (HND / RJTT), also known as Haneda Airport, served as the southern hub for the affected flights. As one of the world’s busiest airports, any operational instability at Haneda Airport carries the potential for a ripple effect across the domestic aviation network of Japan due to its central role.
• New Chitose Airport (CTS / RJCC) served as the northern hub, providing the gateway to the city of Sapporo and the wider Hokkaido region. This airport is an indispensable transit point for passengers travelling for both tourism and regional commerce.

The concentrated impact on these two high-traffic airports amplified the travel headache for a significant volume of passengers.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

The cancellation of 18 flights in quick succession between Tokyo and Sapporo significantly reduced air travel capacity to Hokkaido. The region, which is heavily reliant on accessible air travel for inbound visitors, is particularly susceptible to these issues. The loss of these 18 flight segments translates directly to fewer immediate arrivals in the Sapporo metropolitan area and surrounding regions. This disruption is likely to have resulted in missed or last-minute cancellations of bookings for hotels, ryokans (traditional inns) and pre-paid tours, creating an immediate, calculable loss of revenue for local hospitality businesses in Sapporo. Conversely, a disruption at Haneda Airport in Tokyo can impede the flow of both domestic and international tourists and business travelers throughout Japan.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

Passengers whose flights were included among the 18 total cancellations are urgently advised to consult the official Air Do communication channels. Immediate contact is required to ascertain the specific status of their booking and to arrange alternative travel plans. In cases of operational disruption of this magnitude, established protocols within the aviation sector of Japan generally require the airline to offer specific forms of assistance. Typically, affected travelers are provided options that may include rebooking onto the next available Air Do service, or, alternatively, the initiation of a full refund for the cancelled flight segment. The process for seeking reimbursement for any related lodging or transportation fees incurred due to the cancellation must be followed as per the carrier’s specific policy.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.