The Chinese government has extended its mandate requiring the country's airlines to reduce services to Japan through March 2026, according to a report by Bloomberg. This comes amid heightened political tensions sparked by pro-Taiwanese comments of the new Prime Minister of Japan, Takaichi Sanae.

Carriers have been instructed to remain flexible with schedules and adjust operations in line with the state of bilateral relations. The exact details of the cuts were not disclosed.

Chinese airlines serving Japan include China Eastern Airlines, Air China, Spring Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Juneyao Air, Shanghai Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, and Shandong Airlines, among others. At least 12 routes operated by these airlines have been reportedly axed, including those to Sapporo Chitose, Osaka Kansai, Niigata, Kobe, Nagoya Chubu, and Fukuoka.

According to ch‑aviation data, China Eastern Airlines currently leads the market with a 19.6% market share and over 88,000 seats in the week starting November 24, equal to 19.6% of the market. Air China ranks second with 15.1%, followed by Spring Airlines at 12%.

ch‑aviation has reached out to the affected carriers for comment.