In response to ongoing travel concerns surrounding the potential threat of the “Nankai Trough Mega Earthquake,” Hong Kong Airlines has announced further adjustments to its Japan-bound routes. The airline confirmed on June 12 that it will suspend flights to Kagoshima and Kumamoto during July and August, following a previously announced halt to Sendai services. Additionally, the airline will reduce flight frequencies between Hong Kong and Nagoya, with full suspension of that route set for September.
Flight Suspensions and Schedule Adjustments
Hong Kong Airlines stated that its services to Kagoshima and Kumamoto will be suspended for the peak summer months of July and August. Affected travelers attempting to book flights to these destinations are now met with a “Sorry! No flights available” message via the airline’s booking platform.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong–Nagoya route will be scaled back to once weekly in July and twice weekly in August, with the route scheduled to be fully suspended from September.
These changes are part of a broader adjustment strategy that also recently affected other Japanese routes such as Fukuoka and Sapporo. The airline has attributed these moves primarily to low passenger demand from Japanese travelers, which has been notably affected by concerns about a possible mega earthquake predicted to strike the Nankai Trough region.
Refunds and Rebooking Options Offered
To mitigate the disruption, Hong Kong Airlines is offering affected passengers several options:
- Rebooking on alternative routes operated by the airline, including other cities in Japan, mainland China, Taipei, Bangkok, and Hanoi.
- Full refunds with cash voucher compensation.
The airline also emphasized its commitment to supporting all affected travelers with suitable travel arrangements and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the changes.
Airline Optimistic About Summer Travel, Eyes Expansion
Despite the scaled-back operations to Japan, Hong Kong Airlines remains optimistic about international travel prospects this summer. A company spokesperson noted that concerns over a potential earthquake in Japan have not significantly impacted travel intentions among Hong Kong citizens.
Looking ahead, the airline plans to increase frequencies to key leisure destinations such as Auckland, the Maldives, Bangkok, and Hanoi during the summer holiday period. Additional capacity will also be added on routes to Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai.
Moreover, the airline is set to launch a new route to Sydney on June 20, as part of its continued efforts to expand its international network and improve operational efficiency.
These moves underscore Hong Kong Airlines’ strategy to maintain flexibility amid changing travel demands while investing in markets with growing outbound tourism potential.
