Published on
November 16, 2025
Major Chinese carriers, including Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan, and Spring Airlines, have taken a risk by providing free refunds and flight adjustments to passengers heading to Japan in response to the growing political and diplomatic tensions between the two countries. This move comes after the Chinese government issued a travel advisory warning its citizens not to travel to Japan because of the dangers posed by inflammatory statements made by Japanese political figures. With this flexibility, the airlines hope to safeguard passengers in the face of uncertainty and provide a much-needed safety net at a time when tensions between the two countries are growing diplomatically.
In a dramatic and highly significant move, several major Chinese airlines have announced that they will allow passengers to cancel or change their Japan-bound flights free of charge. This decision comes in response to the growing political and diplomatic tensions between China and Japan, triggered by recent remarks from Japan’s political leadership, which have raised concerns about the safety and stability of travel between the two countries.
The airlines, including Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Spring Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines, have all offered full refunds or free changes for flights to and from Japan for a limited period. The move is being seen as a proactive effort to support travelers during a time of increased uncertainty, as diplomatic relations between China and Japan continue to deteriorate.
Background: Diplomatic Tensions Prompt Travel Alert
The travel alert issued by the Chinese government has played a pivotal role in the decision of these airlines to make such an unprecedented move. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement urging Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near term due to escalating political tensions. The alert specifically mentioned that remarks made by Japanese officials had severely worsened the atmosphere surrounding people-to-people exchanges between the two nations, posing significant risks to the safety of Chinese nationals in Japan.
The travel alert was directly tied to recent comments made by Japanese leadership regarding Taiwan, which have stirred up nationalist sentiments in both countries. The situation further escalated when statements about Japan’s collective self-defense rights were interpreted by the Chinese government as provocative, leading to concerns over the potential for conflict in the region.
Airlines Offer Flexibility for Japan-Bound Passengers
In response to the travel warning and growing fears of potential disruptions, major Chinese airlines moved swiftly to alleviate the anxiety of their passengers. The airlines included in this announcement have made it clear that they are allowing travelers to either cancel their bookings or rebook flights without any additional charges. This flexibility applies to tickets that were either purchased or reissued by November 15, 2025, with a travel period extending until December 31, 2025.
This comprehensive change in policy offers much-needed relief to passengers who may have otherwise felt trapped by the political and diplomatic uncertainties that currently surround travel between China and Japan. With this announcement, the airlines have aimed to ensure that travelers are not burdened by the consequences of unpredictable political developments, allowing them to make alternative plans should they choose to avoid traveling to Japan for the time being.
Key Details of Airline Policies
The specifics of the airline policies regarding free cancellations and changes are as follows:
Air China: Air China, one of the country’s largest and most prominent airlines, has confirmed that it will allow free cancellations and changes for all Japan-bound flights. This policy applies to tickets that were booked before noon on November 15, 2025, with a travel period extending through to December 31, 2025. Air China is offering full refunds or the ability to rebook without penalty for those who wish to adjust their travel plans.China Eastern Airlines: China Eastern Airlines has also extended the same flexible terms to its passengers. This major carrier, which operates a significant number of flights to Japan, is offering free refunds and changes for all Japan-bound travelers under the same conditions. The airline has made it clear that this move is a direct response to the evolving situation between China and Japan.China Southern Airlines: Similarly, China Southern Airlines, another key player in China’s international aviation sector, has joined the growing list of airlines that have waived fees for changes or cancellations. Passengers with existing bookings for flights to Japan can now modify or cancel their reservations free of charge, with the new policy set to apply to tickets booked before November 15, 2025, and for travel until December 31, 2025.Hainan Airlines: Hainan Airlines, one of China’s leading airlines in both domestic and international routes, has also adopted the policy of offering free cancellations and changes for passengers traveling to Japan. Like the other carriers, the airline’s move comes in direct response to the travel alert issued by the Chinese government, allowing passengers more flexibility as the political climate remains unpredictable.Xiamen Airlines: Xiamen Airlines, known for its regional routes and connections across Asia, has followed suit by offering free changes or cancellations for its Japan-bound flights. The airline has implemented similar conditions for passengers, with bookings made before November 15, 2025, eligible for full refunds or changes.Spring Airlines: Spring Airlines, a budget-friendly carrier, has also introduced the same policy, offering refunds and changes for Japan-bound flights. This move is significant, as Spring Airlines operates a large number of flights to Japan, and the airline’s decision to allow free changes is likely to benefit numerous passengers who may have concerns about the situation.Sichuan Airlines: Finally, Sichuan Airlines has announced that it will also allow free cancellations and changes for Japan-bound travelers. The airline, which is known for its wide domestic network and international flights, has made provisions for passengers to modify their bookings without incurring any additional costs. For Sichuan Airlines, the deadline for bookings to qualify for the flexible policy is set at 2 pm on November 15, 2025.A Ripple Effect on Travel Industry
The decision of these airlines to offer free refunds and changes is not only a major move within the airline industry but is also expected to have a ripple effect on other sectors of the travel and tourism industry. Japanese tourism has historically relied on Chinese visitors, who make up a significant portion of the foreign traveler market. In fact, over 7 million Chinese tourists visited Japan between January and September 2025, making them the largest group of foreign visitors.
With the travel alert now in effect and these new airline policies being implemented, there is likely to be a short-term decline in the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Japan. This could have significant financial implications for Japan’s tourism industry, which was on track to recover from pandemic-related setbacks. In the third quarter of 2025 alone, Chinese tourists spent approximately 590 billion yen ($3.8 billion) in Japan, underscoring the importance of this market to the Japanese economy.
Moreover, the cancellation of flights and change in travel patterns will likely affect other areas of Japan’s hospitality and retail sectors, as Chinese tourists are known for their substantial spending power while traveling abroad. Many Japanese businesses, especially those in retail and luxury sectors, could face significant losses during this period of uncertainty.
The Larger Political Context
The diplomatic row between China and Japan is part of a larger geopolitical landscape in the region. The recent comments made by Japan’s political leadership about Taiwan, and Japan’s collective self-defense policy, have raised alarm in China. The Chinese government’s position on Taiwan remains firm: Taiwan is viewed as a breakaway province, and any potential move by Japan to intervene in the event of a Chinese military operation in Taiwan could be seen as a direct threat to Chinese sovereignty.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has condemned the remarks, citing the deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The ministry’s statement also highlighted concerns about safety risks for Chinese nationals living in Japan and urged them to remain vigilant. The diplomatic tensions have intensified in recent months, exacerbated by social media posts and inflammatory rhetoric between both sides. As such, the travel advisory issued by the Chinese government and the subsequent actions taken by the airlines come as part of the broader political context in which both countries are navigating.
The decision to offer free refunds and flight changes for Japan-bound travelers marks a rare but necessary measure taken by airlines in response to the current political and diplomatic turmoil. This move aims to protect travelers and offer them flexibility as they navigate a period of uncertainty.
For the airlines involved, this is a clear demonstration of their commitment to customer satisfaction, as they respond to both the immediate needs of their passengers and the broader geopolitical situation. While it remains to be seen how long the diplomatic tensions will last, the airlines’ decision to implement these policies will provide much-needed peace of mind to passengers and help mitigate the impact of the ongoing dispute.
Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan, and Spring Airlines have announced free refunds and flight changes for Japan-bound travelers amid escalating political tensions between China and Japan, following a Chinese government travel advisory. This move offers flexibility to passengers concerned about safety risks and uncertainties surrounding diplomatic relations.
As this situation continues to evolve, passengers traveling to Japan are encouraged to stay informed about the latest updates from the airlines and government authorities to make the most informed decisions about their travel plans. With the uncertainty surrounding international relations in the region, the flexibility offered by these airlines provides a crucial cushion for those affected by the political unrest.
