With the storm season peaking in Japan, the latest typhoon set to cause significant disruption to Japanese flights is Faxai. Typhoon Faxai is expected to make landfall by Sunday evening, local time, bringing with it severe rainfall and powerful winds. As the country braces for impact, travelers should be advised that disruptions are likely around Japanese airspace. It is therefore important to keep an eye on the progress and direction of the storm, as well as the airlines already preparing for potential cancellations and delays.

Typhoon shows intensifying strength

Faxai is expected to bring a surge of heavy winds, rain, and an increase in surf conditions over the next 48 hours. The storm has been moving towards the southern Japanese territories and will be making landfall in Tokyo this Sunday. As it is growing in intensity, it remains to be seen whether Tokyo will experience the storm at Category 3 level or a much more intense Category 4 classification.

Significant disruption to Japanese flights

Due to the nature of the storm and its predicted intensity and path, all travelers expecting to fly to or from Japan should expect delays and cancellations. A number of airlines have already issued travel alerts and it would be prudent for passengers to stay informed as the storm progresses.

Asian carriers

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has alerted passengers to cancellations on September 8th, due to the disruption caused by Typhoon Faxai. The airline also confirmed that it will be waiving its rebooking and rerouting charges to any ticket purchased on, or before the September 7th. This applies to confirmed bookings arriving to and departing from Tokyo on Monday.

All Nippon Airways

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has issued a travel warning for September 8th-9th, with the following airport departures and arrivals affected:

  • September 8th: Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Shizuoka.
  • September 9th: Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Sendai, and Fukushima.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines has notified passengers of disruptions expected for Sunday and Monday, with decisions on delays and cancellations to be made based on the latest weather updates. It will be important to keep an eye on the airline's notices and schedules, specifically for passengers arriving and departing from Tokyo, Yamagata, and Sendai.

American carriers

United Airlines

United Airlines has issued warnings and notices for all flights going to and leaving from Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports. At this moment in time, the warning is in effect for flights scheduled for September 8th to September 9th. Change fees may be waived for those who can reschedule before or on the 16th of September.

American Airlines

American Airlines will be affected on September 9th, and those with eligible trips may change their flight details on the airline's website. Change fees may be waived for passengers who booked their flights on, or before, September 6th and who will be available to fly up until the 14th of September.

Follow the latest updates

Typhoon Faxai is expected to make landfall 8 September. Photo: NASA via Flickr

To ensure that the change in schedule is the least disruptive, passengers booked to travel on the above dates would do well to keep an eye on the progress of the storm. The Japanese Meteorological Agency provides up to date information on the movement and intensity of the storm. Likewise, all affected airlines' notification boards and flight trackers should be observed. As always, the safety of passengers is at the forefront of every decision made regarding scheduling.