Amid the continued strained relations between China and Japan, all Mainland Chinese airlines have continued the suspension of flights between the two countries through the Chinese New Year holiday period.
Amid the continued strained relations between China and Japan, all Mainland Chinese airlines have continued the suspension of flights between the two countries through the Chinese New Year holiday period.
According to a report from Yicai Global posted on February 12, all flights on 58 routes between China and Japan operated by Mainland Chinese carriers were cancelled during the first seven days of the 40-day Chinese New Year period – a drop of 1,292 round-trip flights – from February 2.
After the government of China advised its citizens to avoid travel to Japan due to strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, Mainland Chinese carriers – led by Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern – offered refund and rescheduling options free of charge for those with flights to/from Japan between November 15 and December 31, 2025.
In the report, aviation analyst Li Hanming of Li & Li was quoted saying China-based bookings to Japan on Chinese mainland airlines dropped by 543,000 on November 18 compared to November 15.
On January 26, the Mainland Chinese airlines extended the free rebooking, refund, and cancellations for Japan-bound flights issued before January 26 for departures between March 29 and October 24, 2026. Along with inbound and outbound flights, it also extends to transit flights.
Powered by Froala Editor