Japan’s Airlines Cancel Flights as Blizzards Hit Northwest Coast

(HOKKAIDO, JAPAN) — Winter storms are ripping through Japan’s flight network, and your odds of delays or flight cancellations are highest if you’re connecting through New Airlines Cancel Flights”>Chitose Airport in Hokkaido.

If you must travel January 21–22, you’ll want an airline with the easiest same-day rebooking and the broadest backup options.

My quick recommendation: Book (or rebook) onto ANA Group if your priority is frequency and backup via Tokyo/Osaka hubs. Choose JAL Group if you want the clearest, most traveler-friendly waiver for January 22 and you’re comfortable routing via its network. If you’re on an LCC ticket, plan for less flexibility and consider switching to a full-service carrier if time matters.

ANA vs JAL vs LCCs during the storm (quick comparison)

1) What happened, and how big is this disruption?

From January 20–21, 2026, heavy snow and strong winds triggered widespread cancellations across Japan.

Airlines affected include the ANA group, JAL group, multiple low-cost carriers, and a handful of foreign carriers.

Nationwide cancellations exceeded 100 flights over the two-day window. The pain point for most travelers is not one canceled flight. It’s the knock-on effects.

• Rolling schedule changes that update hour by hour.
• Missed connections as inbound aircraft arrive late or never arrive.
• Full flights for days, especially to ski gateways.

If you’re flying to Hokkaido for snow season, you’re in the bullseye. If you’re connecting through Tokyo or Osaka, you may still feel it.

Expect these operational headaches through January 22, and possibly beyond, as weather continues.

2) The airports and routes taking the hardest hit

The primary disruption node is New Chitose Airport (CTS) near Sapporo. It’s the main air gateway to Hokkaido’s winter resorts, including Niseko.

When CTS slows down, the entire domestic system can wobble.

Why snow events hit these airport pairs hard:

• Tokyo (Haneda) ↔ Sapporo is a high-frequency trunk route. Cancellations strand huge volumes quickly.
• Northern regional spokes feed into hubs with tight turns. One delay can break a full day’s aircraft routing.
• De-icing queues and snow removal limit how fast planes can depart, even after snowfall eases.

You’ll also see knock-on effects at big hubs and alternates, including Haneda, Itami, Narita, and Kansai. Regional airports along the Sea of Japan side can also pinch operations.

International links are not immune. When domestic feeders break, long-haul and regional Asia connections suffer. If you’re connecting onward to places like Seoul, Hong Kong, or Taipei, protect your connection time.

At the airport level, the constraints are practical and brutal:

• Runway closures or reduced runway use.
• De-icing bottlenecks that stack departures.
• Inbound aircraft “out of position,” which triggers more cancellations later.

This is why you may see a flight show “on time,” then flip to delayed, then cancel. It’s also why gate changes are common during recovery.

3) Airline actions: who’s doing what, and what “special measures” really mean

ANA reported 56 cancellations affecting about 3,900 passengers. The concentration is telling.

49 of those cancellations were at New Chitose Airport. That’s a Hokkaido-centric hit.

JAL reported 37 cancellations impacting about 2,213 passengers as of January 20 morning. JAL also rolled out the clearest consumer-facing policy move so far.

JAL announced special ticket measures for January 22. That typically means eligible customers can:

• Change flights without change fees.
• Rebook onto alternative flights without penalty.
• Request refunds, even on otherwise restrictive tickets.

The catch is always eligibility. “Special measures” often apply only to:

• Specific dates.
• Specific flight numbers and routes.
• Specific airports in the affected region.

JAL’s January 22 list includes flights to or from airports such as Sapporo-area airports and several regional fields. More routes can be added if conditions worsen.

ANA said it had no planned cancellations for January 21 at one point. It still expected delays at some airports. In snow events, that’s a meaningful difference. A “no planned cancellations” day can still unravel by midday.

Codeshares can change who helps you

If your ticket is marketed by one airline but operated by another, rebooking can get messy fast.

Here’s the practical rule: the ticketing carrier usually controls voluntary changes and refunds, while the operating carrier controls day-of operations and some reaccommodation options.

If you booked through an online travel agency, add another layer. That can slow changes when you’re racing everyone else for seats.

⚠️ Heads Up: If your itinerary includes a codeshare segment, check both the ticket number and the operating airline before you call. It saves time.

4) Weather drivers: why this system is so disruptive (Jan 21–25)

Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued heavy snow warnings for January 21–25, 2026. This matters because airlines don’t need a blizzard at the terminal to cancel flights.

A low-pressure system and wind component raise risk across northern and western Japan. For aviation, the most important variables are not just snow totals.

They are:

• De-icing time, which can balloon during peak departure banks.
• Braking action on runways and taxiways.
• Visibility for approaches and departures.
• Crosswinds, which can exceed limits on certain runways and aircraft types.

Travelers often wait for an “all clear.” In winter ops, there usually isn’t one. Conditions pulse. Airports recover, then get hit again.

Plan for rolling changes through January 25, especially on northern routes and Sea of Japan-side airports.

5) What this means for you: rebooking, refunds, hotels, and realistic expectations

During snow disruption, the traveler experience is often worse than the raw cancellation count suggests. The hardest problems show up in clusters.

• Missing connections at Haneda, Itami, or New Chitose.
• Checked bags stuck behind you, or rerouted later.
• The last train leaving before you can reach the city.
• Hotel shortages around airports when hundreds of flights slip at once.

Airlines often offer rebooking or refunds during weather events, but “duty of care” varies. Weather is usually treated as an extraordinary event. That means cash compensation is limited in many systems.

Still, you can often get practical help:

• Waived change fees and fare differences within a window.
• Same-day standby or protected rebooking.
• Meal vouchers or hotel rooms, sometimes, when disruptions cascade.

Decision framework: wait, reroute, switch airports, or postpone

If you’re traveling January 21–22, decide based on what you’re protecting.

1. If you must arrive same day
   Prioritize airlines with high frequency and hub options. Consider rerouting via Tokyo or Osaka, even if it adds a stop. Take earlier flights than you normally would.
2. If you can arrive a day later
   Postpone proactively while seats still exist. Avoid becoming one more passenger chasing the last open seat.
3. If you’re stuck between Haneda and Narita
   Haneda often wins for domestic connectivity and shorter transfers to central Tokyo. Narita can help if Haneda flights are sold out, but ground transfer time hurts. Choose based on the next available confirmed seat, not the “better” airport.

6) Why it feels worse right now: winter demand meets tight capacity

This storm is landing during peak winter travel, when demand to Hokkaido ski areas is already high. A weak yen has also boosted inbound tourism. That keeps load factors high.

High load factors change everything during mass cancellations:

• Reaccommodation seats disappear fast.
• “Next flight” can mean two days later.
• Upgrades become harder, even for elites, because cabins refill with displaced passengers.

This is also why LCC recovery can be slower. Their schedules are leaner. One canceled aircraft rotation can wipe out multiple flights.

If you’re staring at a wall of sold-out options, that’s not bad luck. It’s math.

7) What to do in the next 24–72 hours (Jan 21–25)

The most effective move is speed. Seat inventory shifts minute by minute during recovery.

Step-by-step game plan

1. Check your airline app first.
   Airlines push rebooking links and waiver rules there fastest. Re-check often during the storm window.
2. Lock in any confirmed seat, then improve it.
   Grab a workable routing, even if it’s not ideal. Then keep checking for a better nonstop.
3. Try alternate airports and split itineraries.
   For Hokkaido, consider nearby arrivals when available, then continue by ground. Splitting can help: Tokyo → any Hokkaido airport with seats. Separate ticket onward, only if you can absorb risk.
4. Build buffer through January 25.
   Arrive earlier than usual. Add connection time. Keep lodging flexible near departure cities when possible.
5. Protect your points and status goals.
   If you’re chasing elite status, reaccommodation can change fare classes. Save receipts and screenshots, then request original routing credit when appropriate.

Choosing the right airline for your situation (use cases)

Choose ANA Group if:

• You need the most backup options via Haneda or Itami.
• You’re connecting onward and want more same-day rebook choices.
• You hold Star Alliance status and want smoother airport support.

Choose JAL Group if:

• You’re traveling on January 22 and want the clearest waiver posture.
• You prefer oneworld benefits and JAL’s network fit.
• You want a straightforward path to free changes or refunds, when eligible.

Choose an LCC (or stay on your LCC ticket) if:

• Your schedule is flexible by a day or two.
• You’re traveling light and can absorb disruption.
• The fare savings beat the cost of potential hotels and last-minute rebuys.

Miles and points: how to think about value during a storm

When irregular operations hit, your “best deal” often flips. A cheap ticket can become expensive if you need a new flight tonight.

A practical way to decide:

• If you can rebook for free on a full-service carrier, do it.
• If you’re buying a new ticket, compare cash versus points. Points can be a lifeline when cash fares spike after cancellations.

Also consider elite status math. A rebooked itinerary might:

• Earn fewer miles if the fare bucket changes.
• Earn fewer status credits if segments are repriced.
• Break upgrade eligibility on certain fare types.

If you’re close to a status threshold, protect the trip value. Take the routing that is most likely to operate, even if it’s less direct.

Nuanced verdict

In this storm, ANA Group is the safer bet for time-sensitive travel, mainly because frequency and hub connectivity give you more “escape routes” when New Chitose clogs up.

JAL Group stands out for policy clarity for January 22, which can be just as valuable if your plans are flexible enough to shift. LCCs can still make sense, but only when you can afford to wait.

If you’re flying January 22, confirm whether your itinerary is covered by JAL’s special measures before you head to the airport.

If your travel is anytime January 21–25, start checking your flight status several times per day and aim for an earlier departure than you’d normally choose.

→ In a NutshellVisaVerge.com

Japan’s Airlines Cancel Flights as Blizzards Hit Northwest Coast

Japan is facing significant aviation disruptions due to heavy snow and high winds through January 25, 2026. With over 100 flights already canceled, the impact is centered on New Chitose Airport. While ANA provides better frequency for business travelers, JAL offers clear refund and rebooking waivers for January 22. Travelers are urged to use airline apps for real-time updates and seek confirmed seats immediately.