Core Viewpoint - Multiple airlines have announced an extension of the special ticket handling policy for Japan routes until October 24, 2026, allowing eligible tickets to be changed or refunded without fees [1][6]. Group 1: Airline Policies - Air China (国航) allows ticket changes or refunds for tickets purchased or exchanged before January 26, 2026, that involve travel dates from March 29, 2026, to October 24, 2026, for flights to and from Japan [1]. - China Eastern Airlines (东航) has similar conditions, requiring tickets to be purchased or exchanged before January 26, 2026, with travel dates between March 29, 2026, and October 24, 2026, for flights to Japan [1][3]. - China Southern Airlines (南航) specifies that eligible tickets must be purchased or exchanged before January 26, 2026, and involve travel dates from March 29, 2026, to October 24, 2026, for flights to Japan [1][3]. Group 2: Additional Airlines - Shandong Airlines (山航) has set conditions for tickets purchased or exchanged before January 26, 2026, with travel dates from March 29, 2026, to October 24, 2026, for flights to Japan [2][4]. - Xiamen Airlines (厦航) requires tickets to be purchased or exchanged before January 26, 2026, with travel dates from March 29, 2026, to October 24, 2026, for flights to Japan [2]. - Shanghai Airlines (上航) also follows similar guidelines, allowing changes or refunds for tickets purchased or exchanged before January 26, 2026, with travel dates from March 29, 2026, to October 24, 2026, for flights to Japan [5]. Group 3: Previous Announcements - Prior to this announcement, several airlines had issued a notice on November 15, 2025, allowing free changes or refunds for Japan route tickets until December 31, 2025 [6]. - On December 5, 2025, airlines further adjusted the special handling policy, allowing free changes or refunds for flights to Japan until March 28, 2026 [6].

Group 1 - The three major airlines in China, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, have announced special handling for tickets related to flights to and from Japan, allowing free cancellations and changes for travel until March 28, 2026 [1][2] - The previous policy for free cancellations and changes was set to expire on December 31, 2025 [1] - On November 14, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese consulate in Japan advised citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, emphasizing the need for heightened security awareness [2] Group 2 - As of November 24, data from a third-party travel platform indicated that 12 routes between China and Japan had canceled all flights, affecting cities such as Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Osaka [4]

Summary of Key Points Core Viewpoint - The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies in Japan have issued a warning for Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan due to deteriorating security conditions and rising incidents of crime against Chinese nationals [4]. Airline Responses - Five airlines, including Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines, have announced special policies for ticket changes and refunds for flights to Japan scheduled before December 31, 2025 [1][2][3]. Specific Airline Policies - **Air China**: Tickets purchased or reissued before November 15, 2025, for flights to/from specific Japanese cities are eligible for free changes or refunds if the travel date is between November 15 and December 31, 2025 [1]. - **China Southern Airlines**: Similar conditions apply for tickets purchased before November 15, 2025, for flights to/from Japan during the specified travel dates [1]. - **China Eastern Airlines**: Applicable to tickets with at least one unused segment involving Japan, with the same purchase date and travel date conditions [2]. - **Hainan Airlines**: Tickets issued before November 15, 2025, for flights to/from Japan are eligible for changes or refunds if the travel date falls within the specified range [3]. - **Sichuan Airlines**: Conditions mirror those of the other airlines, focusing on tickets issued before November 15, 2025, for travel to/from Japan [3]. Security Concerns - The warning comes in light of increased crime against Chinese citizens in Japan, including several unresolved assault cases, and provocative statements from Japanese leaders regarding Taiwan, which have further strained Sino-Japanese relations [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the special handling of ticket changes and refunds for flights to Japan by three major Chinese airlines: China Southern Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines, in response to recent travel advisories issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Group 1: China Southern Airlines - Applicable tickets include those purchased or exchanged before November 15, 2025, for flights to and from Japan between November 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025 [2] - For ticket changes, the first change to the same itinerary on a China Southern Airlines flight incurs no change fee, but fare differences apply; subsequent changes must follow ticket usage conditions [3] - Refunds can be requested within the ticket validity period without incurring a refund fee; tickets that have been changed previously will follow the original ticket usage conditions for refunds [4] Group 2: Air China - Applicable conditions for tickets include those purchased or exchanged before November 15, 2025, for flights to specific Japanese cities between November 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025 [8] - For ticket changes, the first change is free of charge, but fare differences apply; subsequent changes must adhere to ticket usage conditions [11] - Refunds can be processed without a refund fee within the ticket validity period; previously changed tickets will follow original ticket usage conditions for refunds [12] Group 3: China Eastern Airlines - Applicable tickets include those issued before November 15, 2025, for flights involving Japan between November 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025 [15] - Ticket changes can be made for flights within three days before or after the original flight date without a fee; further changes must comply with ticket usage conditions [19] - Refunds for unused segments can be processed without a refund fee within the ticket validity period; previously changed tickets will follow original ticket usage conditions for refunds [19]

Core Viewpoint - Three major Chinese airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines, have announced special handling measures for tickets related to Japan routes, allowing free refunds and changes for eligible tickets purchased before November 15, 2023, for travel dates before December 31, 2025 [1][3][4]. Group 1: Air China - Air China allows free changes for tickets purchased before November 15, 2023, for travel dates between November 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025, on specific routes to and from Japan [3]. - The first change is free of charge, but fare differences and seasonal price differences will apply; subsequent changes will follow ticket usage conditions [3]. - Unused segments can be refunded without a cancellation fee within the ticket's validity [3]. Group 2: China Southern Airlines - China Southern Airlines permits free refunds for tickets purchased before November 15, 2023, for travel dates between November 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025, on specific Japan routes [4]. - The first change to the same itinerary is free, but fare differences will be charged as per regulations [4]. Group 3: China Eastern Airlines - China Eastern Airlines allows free changes for tickets purchased before November 15, 2023, involving at least one unused segment to Japan, for travel dates between November 15, 2025, and December 31, 2025 [4]. - Free changes are allowed for flights within three days before or after the original flight; further changes will follow ticket usage conditions [4]. - Unused segments can be refunded without a cancellation fee within the ticket's validity [4]. Group 4: Safety Concerns - Recent reports indicate a deterioration in safety for Chinese citizens in Japan, with multiple incidents of crime against them, prompting the airlines to implement these measures [4][5]. - The Chinese government has advised citizens to avoid traveling to Japan and to remain vigilant regarding local security conditions [5].