Chinese Airlines Extend Free Refunds and Changes for Japan-Bound Tickets Until End of October

Reuters Yonhap News

Chinese airlines have announced that the period for free refunds and itinerary changes for tickets on routes to Japan will be further extended until the end of October.

According to Chinese financial media outlet Yicai on the 26th, major Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, as well as other domestic carriers like Xiamen Airlines and Sichuan Airlines, will allow free refunds and changes for flights departing, arriving, or transiting in Japan between March 29 and October 24.

Previously, Chinese airlines had extended the free refund and change period for tickets on Japan routes, which was originally set to end on December 31 last year, once to March 28 this year. As the conflict between China and Japan continues to persist, the period for refunds and changes has been extended again.

Diplomatic tensions between China and Japan were triggered in November last year when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks suggesting Japan might intervene in the event of a Taiwan contingency. In response, the Chinese authorities issued a travel advisory to their citizens discouraging travel to Japan, and Chinese airlines have continued their free refund and change policies for routes to Japan.