Due to the deterioration of China-Japan relations, flights from China to Japan have drastically decreased. Chinese media, citing statistical data, reported that as of the 15th, a total of 2,376 flights between China and Japan have been canceled during the Spring Festival travel period, with an overall cancellation rate reaching 36%.
The 2026 Chinese Spring Festival transportation period lasts from February 2 to March 13, totaling 40 days. The official Spring Festival holiday is from February 15 (the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month) to February 23 (the seventh day of the first lunar month), for a total of 9 days.
Yicai, citing data from Flight Steward, pointed out that during the 2026 Spring Festival travel period, among China's outbound international routes, Thailand has reclaimed the top spot as the most popular destination; Japanese routes have dropped sharply, with the volume of flights decreasing by over 40% year-on-year.
The report stated that as of the 15th, during the Spring Festival travel period, 2,376 flights between China and Japan have been canceled, with an overall cancellation rate of 36%. As the main hub for flights to Japan, Shanghai Pudong Airport—which accounts for nearly 50% of the flights—has already canceled more than 1,200 outbound flights, making it the airport with the highest number of cancellations.
Last month, over 40% of China’s planned flights to Japan were canceled, amounting to more than 1,900 flights.