Chinese travellers estimated to have cancelled 500,000 flights to Japan amid rising tensions

"Chinese travellers are estimated to have cancelled hundreds of thousands of flights to Japan amid reports of suspended visa processing and cultural exchanges as a diplomatic dispute over Japan's stance on Taiwan continues. Under pressure from business groups, Japan has sent a senior diplomat to Beijing in an attempt to calm tensions after Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said her country could get militarily involved if China attempted to invade Taiwan."

"At least seven Chinese airlines, including the three state carriers, said they would offer free cancellations to travellers with flights booked to the country. One air travel analyst, Hanming Li, said departure data suggested about 500,000 flights to Japan had been cancelled between 15 and 17 November. Chinese outlet Jimu news reported that Sichuan airlines had cancelled all flights between Chengdu and Sapporo from January until late March, and that budget carrier Spring airlines had cancelled multiple Japan flights."

"China is the second-largest source of tourists to Japan, and its students estimated last year to be about 120,000 form the bulk of Japan's international student cohort. Shares in Japanese retail and travel companies slumped on Monday in response to the measures. Li told the Guardian it was the largest mass cancellation of flights he had seen since early in the Covid pandemic, but would probably have little impact on China's domestic industry."

Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan could get militarily involved if China attempted to invade Taiwan, provoking strong reactions from China including warnings to travellers and students about going to Japan. Under pressure from business groups, Japan dispatched a senior diplomat to Beijing to calm tensions. At least seven Chinese airlines, including three state carriers, offered free cancellations, and departure data suggested about 500,000 flights to Japan were cancelled between 15 and 17 November. Some carriers announced route suspensions between Chinese cities and Japanese destinations. China is a major source of tourists and international students for Japan, and Japanese travel and retail shares fell.

Read at www.theguardian.com