On December 17, 2025, air travel across Japan faced significant disruption as three major airports Haneda in Tokyo, Itami in Osaka, and New Chitose Airport in Sapporo recorded a total of 165 flight delays and 18 cancellations, according to airport officials.

Several domestic and international carriers were affected, including ANA Wings, Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Air Do, and a number of foreign airlines. Officials said the disruptions were caused by a combination of staffing shortages, operational challenges, and winter weather conditions, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded or facing long waits at airport terminals.

New Chitose Airport, a key hub linking northern Japan with the rest of the country, was the worst affected. The airport recorded 89 delayed flights and nine cancellations during the day. At Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs, 58 flights were delayed and six were cancelled, disrupting already tight departure schedules. Osaka’s Itami Airport reported 18 delays and three cancellations, compounding travel difficulties in western Japan as knock-on effects spread across the network.

Passengers reported long waiting times, missed connections, and last-minute schedule changes. Many were forced to rebook onward travel, queue for assistance, or rely on airline mobile apps for updates. Airlines said they were offering rebooking options, refunds, or travel vouchers, and advised passengers to check flight status before arriving at airports.

The disruption comes amid ongoing strain on Japan’s aviation system. Earlier this year, operations at Yamagata Airport were temporarily halted after a bear entered the runway, while a separate incident saw a virus disrupt Japan Airlines’ internal systems, delaying at least 24 domestic flights, according to AP News. Longer-term data shows that thousands of domestic flights in Japan are delayed each year, highlighting persistent operational pressures on the network.

Aviation experts warn that staffing constraints, operational complexity, and weather-related disruptions are likely to remain challenges as airlines work to stabilise schedules during peak travel periods.