Travel Alert February 2019: Winter Weather to Affect Japan

If the greater Tokyo metropolitan area is in your travel plans over the weekend, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — due to colder than normal winter weather in the region.

Travel Alert February 2019: Winter Weather to Affect Japan

Although only an inch or so of snow is forecast for the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, some airlines have already proactively issued travel waivers in anticipation of travel disruptions — but the northwestern quadrant of Japan is expected to receive additional accumulations of snow; and some of the mountainous areas of eastern Honshu could receive as much as three feet of snow.

Precipitation is not the only factor in this weather event, as frozen brakes and switching points have already suspended some train services due to colder than normal air temperatures, which are anticipated to dip to as low as -11 degrees Celsius or 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations

If the greater Tokyo metropolitan area is in your travel plans over the weekend, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to the winter weather which may affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.

If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of the affected areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.

Here are six airlines which have issued travel alerts or weather statements as a result of this weather system:

• American Airlines has issued travel alerts for Tokyo Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport for Saturday, February 9, 2019; and Sunday, February 10, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for Tokyo Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport for Friday, February 8, 2019 through Saturday, February 9, 2019; and Tuesday, February 12, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• United Airlines has issued travel alerts for Tokyo Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport for Friday, February 8, 2019 through Saturday, February 9, 2019; and Tuesday, February 12, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for Tokyo Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport for Friday, February 8, 2019 through Saturday, February 9, 2019; and Tuesday, February 12, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Japan Airlines has issued this weather statement for Tokyo Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport for Saturday, February 9, 2019 — but the issuing of travel waivers have not yet been officially announced as of yet.
• All Nippon Airways has issued this weather statement for Tokyo Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport for Saturday, February 9, 2019 — but the issuing of travel waivers have not yet been officially announced as of yet.

Summary

Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.

Photograph ©2017 by Brian Cohen.