Heavy snowfall disrupts travel in northwestern Japan

Heavy snowfall and strong winds have caused widespread transport disruption across northwestern Japan, forcing the cancellation of around 100 flights and affecting approximately 6,000 passengers, authorities said on January 20.

Major airlines reported significant schedule disruptions, while rail services between two prefectures were temporarily suspended as blizzard conditions intensified, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

Japan’s largest carrier, All Nippon Airways (ANA), said dozens of flights to and from the country’s northwestern coast were canceled on January 20, with further delays expected due to ongoing adverse weather.

Although ANA did not plan additional cancellations for January 21, it warned that airport operations could remain affected. New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, in the northern island of Hokkaido, was the hardest hit, accounting for 49 of ANA’s 56 canceled flights.

By Sabina Mammadli