Core Viewpoint - Spring Airlines is suspending several routes between Japan and China due to market impacts and low passenger load factors, particularly following diplomatic tensions and natural disasters affecting travel sentiment [2][4][14]. Route Suspensions - Spring Airlines will suspend the route between Saga Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport starting December 22, with previous reductions in frequency from four to two flights per week [2][4]. - The route from Okayama Airport to Shanghai will be suspended from December 16 to March 28, 2026, with all flights operated by China Eastern Airlines [5][7]. - The Toyama-Shanghai route will also see a suspension from January 3 to March 28, 2026, with a total of 37 round trips canceled due to market issues [8][10]. - The Shizuoka-Shanghai route will be suspended from January 2026 until late March, with a significant impact expected on local businesses due to the high proportion of Chinese tourists [14]. Passenger Load Factors - The load factor for the Saga-Shanghai route dropped from over 90% to around 40% following a travel advisory from the Chinese government and subsequent earthquake alerts in Japan [4]. - The Okayama-Shanghai route had an average load factor of 82.4% in November, but the future operational plans remain uncertain [7]. - The Shizuoka route had a load factor of 67% in October, indicating a decline in demand [14]. Economic Impact - The economic impact of the Shizuoka route is significant, with an estimated economic effect of 35.4 billion yen for the fiscal year 2024, a 30% increase from 2023 [14].