Travelers across Japan are facing a fresh wave of disruption as major carriers including All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), Jetstar Japan and several regional partners have grounded or canceled more than 30 domestic flights, with knock-on delays across key hubs. The latest operational turmoil, centered on Osaka, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Hokkaido, comes amid broader weather and congestion challenges that continue to test the resilience of Japan’s tightly choreographed air network.

New Wave of Cancellations Hits Japan’s Domestic Network

The most recent disruption involves at least several dozen cancellations and a significantly larger number of delays across Japan’s main island and regional gateways. New operational data for February 11, 2026 highlight a fragile domestic schedule, particularly on routes linking Osaka, Fukuoka and Kagoshima with Tokyo and Hokkaido. These corridors are among the country’s most heavily trafficked for both business and leisure, amplifying the impact of each grounded aircraft.

While the headline figure centers on more than 30 flights grounded or canceled by ANA, JAL, Jetstar Japan and their regional partners, the broader picture reveals hundreds of delays. Airports in Osaka and Fukuoka are once again reporting heavy congestion, with Kagoshima and other Kyushu airports experiencing mounting pressure as airlines juggle aircraft and crew to recover their rotations. For travelers, it has translated into missed connections, extended airport waits and abrupt changes to carefully planned itineraries.

Industry trackers show that Osaka Itami and Kansai, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and New Chitose in Hokkaido have all been affected to varying degrees, with disruptions rippling out to secondary airports such as Miyazaki and Amami. Even where flights are still operating, revised departure times and aircraft swaps are common, forcing passengers to remain flexible and attentive to airline updates throughout the day.

Weather, Congestion and a Fragile Winter Schedule

This new wave of disruption does not exist in isolation. It follows a winter marked by repeated bouts of heavy snow and strong winds, particularly along Japan’s northwestern coast and across Hokkaido. In late January, blizzard conditions prompted Japan’s two largest carriers to cancel dozens of flights in and out of Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport, stranding thousands of passengers headed for ski resorts and winter destinations. Operational plans that were already tight heading into February have had little time to recover fully.

In addition to weather, airport congestion has played a visible role. High passenger demand on key domestic links, from Tokyo to Osaka and Fukuoka to Hokkaido, has left schedules with minimal slack. When a storm front or low-visibility period forces even a small window of ground stops or runway constraints, delays quickly cascade through the network. Ground handling and de-icing operations, especially at regional airports with fewer resources than the major metropolitan hubs, have also faced intense pressure this season.

Compounding the challenge, Japan’s airlines are adjusting to longer term capacity changes. Fleet availability remains sensitive after several years of aircraft delivery delays and ongoing maintenance campaigns. While carriers have restored much of their post-pandemic capacity, they continue to operate with tight margins on aircraft and crew utilization. The result is a system where a localized shock, such as strong crosswinds in Hokkaido or low ceilings over Kyushu, can trigger far-reaching effects that linger well beyond the immediate weather window.

Airlines at the Center: ANA, JAL, Jetstar Japan and Regional Partners

All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, the country’s two flagship carriers, are bearing much of the operational strain. Their dense domestic networks link Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka with virtually every major regional city, meaning that even a modest number of cancellations reverberates through national connectivity. Both airlines have again resorted to tactical cancellations on shorter domestic sectors, preferring to protect trunk routes where passenger volumes are highest and connecting traffic is most critical.

Low cost operators and regional affiliates have been no less affected. Jetstar Japan, which is heavily exposed on routes connecting Tokyo, Osaka and regional airports in Kyushu and Hokkaido, has had to suspend or consolidate multiple frequencies during the latest disruption. At the same time, carriers such as ANA Wings, Japan Air Commuter and Ibex Airlines have cut or delayed services into regional hubs including Kagoshima, Miyazaki and smaller airports across southern Japan. These flights are often lifeline services for local communities, and their suspension can mean limited same day alternatives.

The current turbulence comes against the backdrop of strategic restructuring within Japan’s aviation sector. ANA Group is in the process of consolidating its brands and simplifying its operational structure, while JAL continues to fine tune its domestic portfolio to match evolving demand. While these long term shifts are intended to strengthen resilience, they also mean that there is little surplus capacity available to mop up disruption when winter weather or air traffic constraints intervene.

Key Airports Under Strain: Osaka, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Hokkaido

Osaka’s dual airport system, split between Itami for domestic traffic and Kansai for a mix of domestic and international flights, is again under the spotlight. Domestic shuttles between Osaka and other major cities in western Japan are among the most heavily delayed today, with ripple effects on connections to Tokyo Haneda and Sapporo. Travelers connecting through Osaka to reach resort regions or secondary cities have encountered last minute gate changes and rolling departure revisions as airlines try to keep as many aircraft circulating as possible.

In Kyushu, Fukuoka and Kagoshima are shouldering their own pressures. Fukuoka, one of Japan’s busiest regional airports, has seen multiple flights canceled or retimed as airlines respond to capacity constraints and shifting weather windows. Kagoshima, which serves as a gateway to the southern islands and popular hot spring and hiking regions, has also logged a mix of delays and cancellations across domestic carriers, affecting both inbound tourists and residents returning from business trips or medical appointments.

Farther north, Hokkaido’s network remains particularly sensitive. New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, the main portal for ski travelers and winter holidaymakers, has faced repeated episodes of disruption this season linked to snowstorms and low visibility. Even when skies clear, the recovery can take a full operational day or more as airlines reposition aircraft and crews. Other Hokkaido airports, including smaller regional facilities, rely on tight turnarounds and single daily rotations, leaving them vulnerable when even one flight is removed from the schedule.

Impact on Travelers: Stranded Passengers and Scrambled Plans

For travelers, the practical consequences are immediate. Passengers in Osaka, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Hokkaido have reported crowded departure halls and long queues at airline counters as they seek rebooking options. Those holding tickets on morning departures have sometimes found themselves shifted to evening flights or even to next day services as carriers triage seats for those with urgent travel needs or onward international connections.

Accommodation is another pain point. In popular hubs and resort areas, hotel inventory can tighten quickly when hundreds of passengers are forced to remain overnight. Some airlines have been able to provide vouchers or negotiate discounted rates, particularly when cancellations are directly linked to operational decisions rather than severe weather. However, travelers are often advised to secure rooms promptly and keep detailed records of receipts and booking confirmations in case they pursue reimbursement later.

The disruption is especially challenging for those on tight itineraries, such as business travelers with same day meetings in Tokyo and Osaka, or tourists navigating packed multi city rail and air schedules. Missed connections between domestic flights and shinkansen services have been widely reported this winter, adding a second layer of complexity as travelers attempt to rethread journeys that combine air and rail legs. Flexibility in sightseeing plans, dining reservations and even regional side trips is proving essential for minimizing disappointment.

Practical Advice for Those Traveling in Japan Now

For travelers already in Japan or due to arrive in the coming days, preparation and vigilance are crucial. Passengers are strongly encouraged to monitor their booking frequently via airline apps and to enable notifications on mobile devices. Same day schedule changes have become common this winter, and in some cases an alert about a time shift or aircraft substitution may arrive just hours before departure. Checking again before leaving a hotel or ryokan can prevent unnecessary early arrivals at the airport.

Arriving at the airport with extra time in hand is sensible, particularly at Osaka, Fukuoka and Hokkaido airports where security queues and check in counters can lengthen quickly whenever multiple flights are reprotected at once. Travelers should carry any essential medications, chargers and a change of clothes in their hand luggage in case a short delay evolves into an overnight stay. Access to snacks and water becomes especially valuable when delays play out on the aircraft itself after boarding.

Those planning multi stop itineraries across Japan might also consider building more buffer time between domestic flights, or mixing in rail travel where feasible. The shinkansen network can provide a robust alternative between Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka, reducing exposure to weather related aviation delays on some segments. While storms can also affect rail operations, the high frequency of departures and the ability to stand by for earlier or later trains often provides more flexibility than a fully booked aircraft schedule.

What This Means for Future Travel Plans

Looking ahead, the latest wave of disruptions underlines how important it is for visitors to Japan to approach winter and early spring itineraries with a measure of caution. While Japan remains one of the most reliable aviation markets in the world, the combination of intense seasonal weather in Hokkaido, congested airports in Tokyo and Osaka, and constrained aircraft availability means that even a handful of grounded flights can have outsized effects on the passenger experience.

Travel planners and tour operators are already adjusting their recommendations. Many are encouraging clients to stay at least one night in Tokyo or Osaka before any long haul departure, rather than attempting same day domestic connections that leave no room for delay. Others are nudging travelers toward flexible booking options, including refundable fares or hotel reservations with free cancellation, to create an escape valve when winter storms or network snarls intervene at short notice.

For Japan’s airlines and airport operators, this latest episode will likely prompt further refinement of winter operations and contingency planning. Investments in de icing equipment, runway clearing capacity and crew scheduling flexibility are all under review, even as carriers continue broader strategic shifts and brand consolidations. For now, however, travelers should assume that disruptions remain a live possibility and plan with redundancy and patience in mind.

Despite the current turbulence, Japan remains highly accessible, and most flights are still operating each day. The more than 30 grounded services in the latest wave represent a small fraction of overall departures, but their concentration on key routes means they touch a disproportionate number of passengers. By staying informed, building buffers and keeping expectations realistic, travelers can still enjoy rich and rewarding journeys across the country even as airlines and airports work through one of the most challenging winter periods in recent years.

For those heading to or from Osaka, Fukuoka, Kagoshima or Hokkaido in the coming days, the best approach is to keep your plans, but treat your schedule as a living document rather than a fixed script. Check, verify and adjust as information evolves, and be prepared to lean on Japan’s excellent ground transport network when needed. With that mindset, even a disrupted day in transit can become a memorable chapter in a wider adventure.