Severe winter conditions sweeping northern Japan led airlines to cancel at least 42 flights on 18 December, disrupting domestic and international schedules. Among the casualties was Cathay Pacific flight CX581 between Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport and Hong Kong, highlighting how weather outside the territory can reverberate through Hong Kong’s air-connectivity network.
The bulk of cancellations affected regional operators such as Air Do, Japan Air Commuter and Solaseed Air, but international carriers Air New Zealand, Jin Air, Spring Airlines and MIAT Mongolian Airlines also scrapped services at Kansai, Narita and New Chitose. Cathay’s withdrawal of its Hong Kong link cut capacity just as ski season traffic was peaking. Airlines are offering rebooking or refunds, yet limited seat availability means some travellers face multi-day delays.
![Japan weather causes 40-plus flight cancellations, including Cathay’s Sapporo–Hong Kong service]()
If rerouting through alternative hubs such as Seoul or Taipei means you suddenly require new visas or transit permits, VisaHQ’s Hong Kong team (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can fast-track the paperwork, provide up-to-date entry guidance and coordinate courier collection, helping both leisure and corporate travellers keep their trips on schedule despite last-minute changes.
Travel-management companies in Hong Kong report a surge in requests to reroute passengers via Seoul, Taipei or direct charter, driving up last-minute fares. Firms with staff heading to Japan for year-end audits or factory visits should verify onward rail connections, as heavy snow has halted Shinkansen services north of Aomori.
Meteorologists warn that another cold front could hit Hokkaido over the weekend. Cathay Pacific says it will restore the route “subject to weather and airport operational constraints” and urges customers to use its self-service waiver tool before heading to the airport.
The bulk of cancellations affected regional operators such as Air Do, Japan Air Commuter and Solaseed Air, but international carriers Air New Zealand, Jin Air, Spring Airlines and MIAT Mongolian Airlines also scrapped services at Kansai, Narita and New Chitose. Cathay’s withdrawal of its Hong Kong link cut capacity just as ski season traffic was peaking. Airlines are offering rebooking or refunds, yet limited seat availability means some travellers face multi-day delays.
If rerouting through alternative hubs such as Seoul or Taipei means you suddenly require new visas or transit permits, VisaHQ’s Hong Kong team (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can fast-track the paperwork, provide up-to-date entry guidance and coordinate courier collection, helping both leisure and corporate travellers keep their trips on schedule despite last-minute changes.
Travel-management companies in Hong Kong report a surge in requests to reroute passengers via Seoul, Taipei or direct charter, driving up last-minute fares. Firms with staff heading to Japan for year-end audits or factory visits should verify onward rail connections, as heavy snow has halted Shinkansen services north of Aomori.
Meteorologists warn that another cold front could hit Hokkaido over the weekend. Cathay Pacific says it will restore the route “subject to weather and airport operational constraints” and urges customers to use its self-service waiver tool before heading to the airport.
