Japan’s airlines cancel flights as blizzards hit north-west coast
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Japanese airlines, including ANA, cancelled flights headed to and from the country's north-west coast amid strong winds and heavy snowfall.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO - Strong winds and heavy snowfall forced the cancellation of dozens of airline flights headed to and from Japan’s north-western coast, the country’s largest airlines said on Jan 20, including popular skiing regions.
As of 1pm local time, ANA Holdings had cancelled 56 flights, affecting around 3,900 passengers, while as of 11am, Japan Airlines had cancelled 37 flights, affecting 2,213 passengers.
ANA said that it had not planned any flight cancellations for Jan 21, but there would be delays at some airports due to continued adverse weather conditions.
New Chitose Airport near Sapporo in Japan’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido was the worst hit, making up 49 of ANA’s 56 cancelled flights.
The airport is the gateway to ski resorts such as Niseko, which has surged in popularity among international visitors looking to take advantage of some of the best powder skiing conditions in the world and capitalising on the weak yen.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned on Jan 19 that between Jan 21 and Jan 25, heavy snow would hit the north and west of the country along the Sea of Japan and advised against non-essential journeys. REUTERS
