Japan Faces Widespread Aviation Disruption

Nationwide flight operations under severe strain

Japan is experiencing one of its most significant aviation disruptions in recent years. As of February 9, 2026, airlines have cancelled 371 flights and reported 1,710 delays nationwide, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. While Tokyo remains the epicentre, the disruption has spread across major hubs from Sapporo in the north to Kagoshima in the south.

Haneda Airport emerges as the main bottleneck

Tokyo’s Haneda Airport has been hit hardest, recording 157 cancellations and 847 delays. As Japan’s primary domestic gateway, operational breakdowns at Haneda have triggered cascading disruptions across the national aviation network, severely limiting passenger flows and aircraft rotation.

Major regional hubs feel cascading effects

New Chitose Airport in Sapporo has reported 52 cancellations and 203 delays, complicating access to Hokkaido. Osaka’s Itami Airport has seen 50 cancellations and 230 delays, while Fukuoka has recorded 38 cancellations and 264 delays. Kagoshima, Sendai and Hiroshima have also experienced growing disruption, highlighting the nationwide scale of the crisis.

Flagship carriers bear the heaviest burden

Japan’s largest airlines are absorbing the majority of operational stress. All Nippon Airways has cancelled 111 flights and delayed 326, while ANA Wings has reported 68 cancellations and 145 delays. Japan Airlines has recorded 77 cancellations and 542 delays, the highest number of delayed services among all carriers involved, underscoring the systemic nature of the disruption.

Regional and international airlines also affected

Smaller domestic and regional carriers such as Ibex Airlines, Japan Air Commuter, Solaseed Air and Jetstar Japan have also been impacted. International operators including United Airlines and Korean Air have reported disruptions, indicating that the crisis extends beyond domestic operations and affects Japan’s broader connectivity.

Tourism and local economies face immediate pressure

The scale of disruption is expected to weigh on tourism and local economies. Tokyo is seeing reduced visitor mobility, while Sapporo risks losing winter tourism demand. Osaka and Fukuoka face declines in short-stay travel, and Kagoshima’s reliance on air connectivity makes the impact particularly severe for local communities and tourism-related businesses.

Alternative transport offers limited relief

While some passengers are turning to Japan’s high-speed rail network as an alternative, rail capacity cannot fully offset the scale of aviation disruptions, especially for island and long-distance routes. The situation remains fluid as airlines attempt to restore schedules.

Expert conclusion

As reported by International Investment experts, Japan’s current aviation disruption highlights the structural vulnerability of complex transport networks. Prolonged instability could have lasting implications for tourism flows, business travel and regional economic resilience if operational normalisation is delayed.