Chinese government has extended a mandate to airlines to limit flights to Japan until March 2026, citing increased political tensions following remarks by Japan's new Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae. The directive advises carriers to remain adaptable in their schedules and operations, though specific details about the reductions have not been disclosed.
Several Chinese airlines are affected by this extension, including China Eastern Airlines, Air China, Spring Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Juneyao Air, Shanghai Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, and Shandong Airlines. Reports indicate that at least twelve routes to Japanese cities such as Sapporo, Osaka, Niigata, Kobe, Nagoya, and Fukuoka have been canceled or reduced.
Market data from ch-aviation shows that China Eastern Airlines currently leads the Chinese carrier market to Japan, with a 19.6% share and over 88,000 seats scheduled for the week starting November 24. Air China is the second-largest with 15.1%, followed by Spring Airlines at 12%. The affected airlines have been contacted for further comment about these operational adjustments.
