Airlines to Cut 700,000 China-Japan Seats This Winter
Carriers reduce flights between the nations as regional travel demand drops during the winter season.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Air Travel
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Airlines are set to remove nearly 700,000 seats from China-Japan routes for the winter travel season starting October 25. Over 5,000 flights have been canceled due to depressed tourism demand and government travel warnings.
Why it matters
Political tensions and a travel warning issued by Beijing in November 2025 have cooled interest in travel between the two countries. This contraction in service is expected to drive up airfares for travelers and increase costs for business operations.
Carriers have allocated 2,871,270 seats for the winter season, down from 3,554,167 in the prior year. Airlines planned 12,613 total flights, with significant reductions from major Chinese carriers.
The players
Air China
A state-owned carrier that has removed 60,898 seats and 909 flights from its winter schedule.
China Eastern Airlines
A major Chinese aviation company that has reduced its capacity by 111,260 seats for the winter season.
China Southern Airlines
A primary airline operator that has cut 82,575 seats and 511 flights compared to the previous winter.
All Nippon Airways
A Japanese airline that has chosen to retain 1,848 flights for the winter travel season.
The details
China Eastern Airlines leads the service cuts with 111,260 fewer seats and 1,185 fewer flights, followed by China Southern Airlines and Air China. Despite the broader reduction, All Nippon Airways has maintained 1,848 flights for the period.
Timeline
November 2025: Mass flight cancellations and travel warnings began.
October 25, 2026: The winter commercial aviation season begins.
March 27, 2027: The winter commercial aviation season ends.
Travel Outlook
This decline in China-Japan flight capacity follows the pattern set by the Beijing government travel warning, which dictates regional travel demand. The current trajectory marks a significant departure from historical seat allocations, highlighting the impact of political tensions on tourism.
Travelers should expect higher airfares on major routes due to the significant reduction in total seat capacity. Business travelers, particularly Japanese technicians, will likely face increased travel costs for the remainder of the winter season.
The takeaway
Travelers planning trips between China and Japan during the winter months should monitor airline schedules closely as supply decreases. Consider booking flights as far in advance as possible to navigate the expected rise in ticket prices.
Further reading
Learn more about global flight trends in our Air Travel section.
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