Japan Airlines canceled more than a dozen domestic flights and delayed nearly half of its scheduled services as severe weather disrupted travel across Japan, affecting key routes including Miyazaki, Tokushima, Kochi, Niigata, Osaka, and Tokyo. Strong winds, heavy rain, and poor visibility caused by a passing low-pressure system forced the airline to halt operations on certain routes and delay hundreds of others, leaving thousands of passengers facing schedule changes, missed connections, and extended waits at airports nationwide.

The airline confirmed that 11 flights were canceled outright and 385 others — nearly half of its planned domestic operations — faced delays due to bad weather. Conditions included strong winds, heavy rainfall, and poor visibility at several regional and major airports.

The widespread disruption affected both regional connections and major trunk routes, creating a chain reaction that impacted flight schedules, aircraft rotations, and crew assignments across JAL’s network.

Routes and Flights Affected

While delays were widespread, the worst of the disruption was concentrated on routes linking smaller regional airports to major cities. The list of canceled flights included services between:

• Miyazaki and Fukuoka — JAL3634, scheduled for Sunday at 17:09 JST.
• Fukuoka and Tokushima — JAL3567 at 18:35 JST.
• Kochi and Fukuoka — JAL3588 at 18:44 JST.
• Fukuoka and Osaka (Itami) — JAL2060 at 19:05 JST.
• Fukuoka and Miyazaki — JAL3639 at 19:22 JST.
• Niigata and Osaka (Itami) — JAL2250 at 19:25 JST.
• Tokyo (Haneda) and Fukuoka — JAL335 at 19:45 JST.
• Osaka (Itami) and Tokyo (Haneda) — JAL134 at 19:45 JST.
• Osaka (Itami) and Fukuoka — JAL2061 at 20:05 JST.
• Tokushima and Fukuoka — JAL3568 at 20:15 JST.
• Fukuoka and Tokyo (Haneda) — JAL304, scheduled for Monday morning at 08:25 JST.

Many other flights on these and nearby routes operated but departed late, in some cases more than an hour behind schedule.

Cause of the Disruption

Meteorological reports indicated that a strong low-pressure system moving across western and central Japan brought heavy rain, gusty winds, and low cloud cover. These conditions made safe landings and take-offs difficult at certain airports, particularly in Kyushu and Shikoku, forcing flight crews to hold, divert, or cancel services.

Weather forecasters warned that unstable conditions would continue through parts of Monday, especially in coastal areas, which could prolong the disruption.

Passenger Impact

For passengers, the impact was immediate and frustrating. Many found themselves waiting for updates in crowded terminals, while others had to arrange alternative transport. At Fukuoka Airport, announcements about cancellations came in rapid succession on Sunday evening, leading to long lines at ticket counters.

Travelers with connections through Tokyo, Osaka, and other major hubs were among the hardest hit. Some missed onward flights to Hokkaido or Okinawa, while others lost valuable time for business or personal engagements.

Japan Airlines advised passengers to check its website and mobile app for real-time updates and to consider rebooking if their flights were flexible. The airline also reminded customers that weather-related delays and cancellations are beyond its control, but that it was making every effort to accommodate affected travelers.

Operational Strain on the Airline

Flight disruptions of this scale can create operational headaches beyond the day itself. Aircraft and crew are positioned according to a precise schedule, and sudden cancellations can cause planes to be out of place for subsequent flights.

For example, an evening cancellation from a regional city to Tokyo might mean a missing aircraft for an early morning departure from Tokyo to another destination. Crews also have maximum duty limits, meaning a delayed evening flight could push pilots or cabin crew beyond their legal working hours, resulting in further cancellations or substitutions.

Japan Airlines, which operates both short regional hops and long domestic routes with larger jets like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, often relies on tight turnaround times at airports. Bad weather can stretch those turnarounds and disrupt entire rotations.

Context and Past Incidents

Weather-related disruptions are not uncommon for Japan Airlines, especially during typhoon season and in winter months when snow can close northern airports. However, mass delays of this scale in early August are less frequent, often tied to seasonal storms or unusual weather systems.

In past years, similar low-pressure systems have triggered chain disruptions, prompting the airline to add extra recovery flights where possible. This time, with a high volume of weekend travelers, the cancellations had a bigger impact on passenger numbers.

Advice for Travelers

With forecasts predicting ongoing instability in the weather, passengers flying into or out of Japan’s western and central regions are advised to monitor conditions closely. Japan Airlines has set up a dedicated page for weather-related advisories and has urged travelers to sign up for flight alerts.

For those already at airports, staff are assisting with rebooking, overnight arrangements, and alternative routes — though options remain limited during peak travel periods.

Japan Airlines canceled more than a dozen flights and delayed hundreds more after strong winds, heavy rain, and poor visibility from a low-pressure system disrupted routes linking cities such as Miyazaki, Tokushima, Kochi, Niigata, Osaka, and Tokyo.

Looking Ahead

If weather conditions improve, the airline expects operations to stabilize by late Monday or Tuesday morning. However, some knock-on delays may persist into the week as crews and aircraft are repositioned.

Japan Airlines reiterated its apology to customers for the inconvenience caused and stressed that safety remains its top priority.