TRAVEL CORRESPONDENCE

Cathay Pacific to continue operating flights to all airports in Japan

20% reduction to the planned Japan schedule in January 2023

Based on the latest advice from the Japanese authorities, Cathay Pacific announced on Thursday (Dec 29) that it will be able to continue operating flights to all airports in Japan, including Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka* and Sapporo*.

However, as airlines are not allowed to increase flights beyond the number that they operated in the week of 23-29 December, Cathay Pacific only operates 65 flights per week in total to the above destinations. That represents a 20% reduction to the planned Japan schedule in January 2023. 

The Airline make some schedule changes in order to comply with the Japanese authorities.

For flights from Hong Kong to Japan:

From 30 December until further notice, the Airline 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:

1) From 30 December to 8 January 2023, Airline operate all scheduled flights as planned, including ferry flights carrying no passengers to Japan to help customers return to Hong Kong.

2) From 9 January until further notice, the Airline operates 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.

The customers affected by the flight cancellations, Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo 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.

The Airline mentioned, “Customers can expect an individual message within the next few days advising them of the revised flight details. Fukuoka customers who booked directly with Cathay Pacific can follow the link in the email to refund their bookings. Customers who booked through third parties should contact their travel agents directly. There is no need for customers to contact us via our Customer Care hotlines”.

“As Hong Kong’s home airline, we are working to maintain our schedule as much as possible. We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers”.

*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 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.