All scheduled flights on 49 air routes between China and Japan are suspended for February 2026 after Chinese carriers removed all services from official schedules, flight data showed on Jan. 26.
China’s three largest state-owned airlines — Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines — also issued updated ticketing policies that allow eligible holders to make one free change or obtain fee-free refunds for unused segments on Japan-related travel through Oct. 24, 2026.
The cancellations follow a sharp rise in flight disruptions this winter and renewed travel advisories from Chinese authorities urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan. Data from flight information platforms show that the cancellation rate for mainland China flights to Japan reached nearly 47.2% in January, marking an increase from December 2025 as bilateral tensions and weak demand continued to affect schedules.
Scope of Flight Suspensions and Airline Policies
Flight scheduling data shows that as of Jan. 26, all flights on 49 designated air routes between mainland China and Japan have been cancelled for February. The routes affected serve major city pairs, including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Okinawa. These cancellations mark a further escalation from January’s already high rate of suspended services.
Chinese carriers have publicised revised ticketing policies to manage passenger impact. Under these measures, passengers with tickets purchased or reissued before midday on Jan. 26 can make one free itinerary change, subject to any fare difference, or request fee-free refunds for segments they do not use. The special handling rules apply to flights scheduled between March 29 and Oct. 24, 2026, extending the previous flexibility, which had been limited to tickets through March 28.
Underlying Factors of China – Japan Flight Suspensions
Analysts point to a combination of demand weakness and government advisories as drivers of the changes. China’s foreign ministry and related officials have repeatedly warned citizens about alleged safety risks for Chinese travellers in Japan, including “serious security threats,” and urged caution during travel, particularly around peak periods such as the Lunar New Year. The warnings coincide with significant reductions in outbound travel to Japan and broader friction in bilateral relations.
According to immigration statistics released in late January, the number of Chinese visitors to Japan fell sharply in December 2025 compared with the previous year, reflecting a downturn in outbound tourism amid advisories and flight uncertainties. The effect on aviation capacity has been substantial: airlines have increasingly recalibrated their service levels on these international routes rather than operate flights with low demand.
The suspension of all scheduled February services on 49 China–Japan routes represents one of the most significant disruptions in recent years for regional air travel. Japan has historically been among the most popular destinations for Chinese outbound travellers; however, the current combination of weak demand, government travel guidance and airline scheduling decisions has drastically reduced connectivity between the two markets.
