Select Language:
The three largest state-owned airlines in China announced they will provide free options for refunds and rescheduling to passengers who have booked flights to Japan before the end of this year. This comes as China advises its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan due to increasing security concerns and provocative remarks about Taiwan made by Japanese officials.
Passengers with tickets that include at least one unused flight segment—whether inbound, outbound, or stopover—between November 15 and December 31 can either reschedule once at no charge or receive a full refund without additional fees, according to the airlines. Similar policies have been adopted by other Chinese carriers as well.
On November 14, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions in Japan issued a formal alert, urging Chinese travelers to refrain from visiting Japan in the near future. For those already in Japan, the notice emphasized the importance of monitoring the local security environment, increasing safety awareness, and taking precautions to protect themselves.
The Chinese embassy in Japan stated on social media that Japan’s leaders have made openly provocative statements about Taiwan, which undermines friendly exchanges and significantly raises risks to the safety and lives of Chinese nationals living or traveling there. Several criminal incidents targeting Chinese citizens—including multiple assaults—have occurred throughout the year, further jeopardizing their safety, the foreign ministry highlighted.
During last month’s Golden Week holiday, which was extended to eight days due to the Mid-Autumn Festival coinciding with National Day, Japan remained a favored destination for Chinese tourists. According to flight data, Osaka was the most popular outbound destination, followed by Tokyo.
Although Chinese airlines increased capacity to Japan this year, securing tickets remained difficult over the holiday period. For example, all five daily flights operated by Juneyao Airlines between Shanghai and Osaka sold out well in advance of the holiday.
An industry insider mentioned that due to safety concerns related to tourism in Thailand, many travelers shifted their focus to Southeast Asia, resulting in strong demand for flights to Japan, South Korea, and even Europe. However, following the travel advisories and the free cancellation and rescheduling policies introduced by the major state-owned airlines, flight schedules to Japan may decrease in the near future.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
