Japan Airlines (JAL) has reduced flights to Hong Kong as well as as Taiwan, and suspended its South Korean routes due to the recent coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak that originated in mainland China.
Initially, the airline only announced adjustments to its flights to mainland China. Details of the affected mainland China flights can be found here.
Hong Kong routes
Since February 17, JAL has reduced its Tokyo Haneda-Hong Kong service to four weekly flights that operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays until March 28. However, the airline said it this service has also been scheduled for February 28 on a Friday.
The airline has also cut its Tokyo Narita-Hong Kong flights to three services per week. The outbound flight JL735 to Hong Kong will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, while the return flight JL736 will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
According to the airline, it will offer two additional outbound services (JL735) on February 28 and 29, as well as two more return flights (JL736) on February 29 and March 1.
Taiwan services
JAL will also cut flights between Osaka Kansai and Taipei from one daily service to four weekly flights from March 5 to March 23. The Taipei-bound flight will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, while the return flight will be scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The airline said it will add two additional flights to Taipei on March 8 and 19, as well as two more return flights on March 9 and 20.
South Korea services
Then from March 1 to March 29, JAL will temporarily suspend its flights to Seoul and Busan.
The airline will temporarily cancel one of the daily services between Tokyo Haneda and Seoul Gimpo airport (JL095/090). The outbound service will be cancelled from March 1 to March 27, while the return flight will be suspended from March 2 to March 28.
According to the airline, it will operate two outbound flights on this route on March 19 and 21, as well as two return flights on March 20 and 22.
It will also suspend one daily service between Tokyo Narita and Busan (JL969/960). The flight to Busan will be suspended between March 1 and March 28, and the return flight will be cancelled between March 2 and March 29.
However, the airline said there will be a outbound flights scheduled on March 6, 19 and 20, and three corresponding return flights on March 7, 20 and 21.
The table below shows the airline’s latest flight adjustments:
| Route | Flight No. | Aircraft | Period | Status |
| Tokyo Haneda-Hong Kong | JL029 | Boeing 787-8 | Feb 17-Mar 28 | Reduced from daily to four weekly flights |
| JL026 | ||||
| Tokyo Narita-Hong Kong | JL735 | Boeing 787-8 | Feb 26-Mar 27 | Reduced from daily to three weekly flights |
| JL736 | Feb 27-Mar 28 | |||
| Osaka Kansai-Taipei | JL815 | Boeing 737-800 | Mar 5-Mar 22 | Reduced from daily to four weekly flights |
| JL814 | Mar 6-Mar 23 | |||
| Tokyo Haneda-Seoul Gimpo | JL095 | Boeing 787-8 | Mar 1-Mar 27 | Suspended |
| JL090 | Mar 2-Mar 28 | |||
| Tokyo Narita-Busan | JL969 | Boeing 737-800 | Mar 1-Mar 28 | Suspended |
| JL960 | Mar 2-Mar 29 |
JAL said its call centre will reach out to affected customers with an “applicable flight ticket” by email or call to tell passengers about alternative flight or to accept refunds.
According to JAL, affected passengers will be able to confirm whether they want to opt for the alternative flights by going to “booking details” on its website. Passengers can choose whether they want an alternative flight. The airline said those who booked tickets through a travel agency need to contact their agency to make changes.
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is updating a list of airlines that have suspended or cut flights to Hong Kong:
