2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-12-05 13:23Core Viewpoint - The ticket refund and change policy for flights to and from Japan has been extended by several Chinese airlines, allowing free modifications and cancellations for tickets purchased before December 5, 2025, for travel dates between November 15, 2025, and March 28, 2026 [1][13]. Group 1: Airlines Involved - Major airlines such as Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Shandong Airlines have announced the extension of their free refund and change policy for Japan routes [1][13]. - The policy applies to tickets purchased or exchanged before December 5, 2025, for flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai, Hiroshima, Sapporo, and Okinawa [1]. Group 2: Ticket Change and Refund Rules - For Air China, the first change to a flight on the same route incurs no fee, and refunds are also free of charge for eligible tickets [1]. - China Southern Airlines has similar rules, allowing the first change without a fee and refunds without charge for tickets that meet the specified criteria [4][5]. - Hainan Airlines and Shandong Airlines have also implemented comparable policies, allowing free changes and refunds under certain conditions [9][11]. Group 3: Impact on Flight Operations - As of November 30, 2023, the number of one-way flights from China to Japan has decreased from 4,703 to 3,537, a reduction of 1,166 flights or 25% [13]. - The total seating capacity has also dropped from 884,148 to 672,568, representing a 24% decrease [13]. - The future flight arrangements for the next three months remain uncertain, with only some airlines announcing adjustments extending into March 2026 [13].