LONDON – Based on the latest advice from the Japanese authorities, Cathay Pacific has now confirmed that it will be able to continue operating flights to all airports in Japan, including Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo.
Flights operating into Fukuoka and Sapporo will be subject to restrictions. * (see below)
Recent changes to Japan arrival permissions
Japan has eased its Covid restrictions partially, by allowing inbound flights from Hong Kong to land at seven specific locations.
The move by the Japanese government comes after pressure was put on it by the Chinese territory of Hong Kong.
Japan had previously announced that, as of Friday, inbound flights from Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China would only be permitted to land at Tokyo’s Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports, Osaka’s Kansai (KIX) airport and Chubu Centrair (NGO) in Nagoya from Friday.
The restrictions were made following concerns of the new Covid-19 outbreak and the potential emergence of new virus variants in China.
Under the easing of restrictions, the number of arrival points for passengers from Hong Kong has been increased to seven – including the cities of Chitose, Fukuoka and Naha – providing those passengers have not travelled to mainland China in the last 7 days.
Restrictions on flight frequency
However, as airlines are not allowed to increase flights beyond the number that they operated in the week of 23-29 December, Cathay Pacific will only be able to operate 65 flights per week in total to the above destinations.
That represents a 20% reduction to our planned Japan schedule in January 2023. In order to comply with the Japanese authorities’ requirement, the following schedule changes will be made:
For flights from Hong Kong to Japan:
From 30 December until further notice, Cathay Pacific will operate a reduced flight schedule. All flights to Nagoya and Fukuoka will be cancelled.
Flights to Sapporo will be reduced from 7 to 5 per week (with Monday and Wednesday flights cancelled), while Tokyo Narita flight CX500 and Osaka flight CX502 will be cancelled on select dates.
For flights from Japan to Hong Kong:
From 30 December to 8 January 2023, we will operate all scheduled flights as planned, including ferry flights carrying no passengers to Japan to help customers return to Hong Kong.
From 9 January until further notice, we will operate a reduced flight schedule. All flights from Nagoya will be cancelled.
Flights from Sapporo will be reduced from 7 to 5 per week (with Monday and Wednesday flights cancelled from 11 January), whilst Fukuoka flights, Tokyo Narita flight CX501 and Osaka flight CX503 will be cancelled on select dates.
For customers affected by the flight cancellations, the carrier advised that Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo customers will be transferred onto other flights available.
Nagoya customers will be transferred onto Osaka flights. Customers for Fukuoka will be offered a full refund as the remaining Japan flights are fully booked already due to the busy holiday period.
Restrictions on Fukuoka and Sapporo arrivals
* As required by the Japanese authorities, customers who have booked flights to Fukuoka and Sapporo from 30 December onwards must declare that they have not been to the Chinese Mainland within the seven days prior to their departure.
Customers will be asked to sign a self-declaration form during check-in at the airport. Those who are unable to meet this requirement can choose to refund or rebook their flights.
