TOKYO: Heavy snow in northern Japan canceled dozens of flights on Tuesday as millions of families returned home to spend the New Year holidays with loved ones.
Japan Airlines said it had canceled 42 flights, affecting 6,398 passengers, by early afternoon, all to and from the northern island of Hokkaido.
Its main rival ANA also canceled 14 flights due to bad weather in the north, affecting 800 passengers, and warned its customers of possible delays and further cancellations.
Passengers lined up at Hokkaido’s main airport to secure alternative flights.
Some people are ready to watch in 2025 in the departure lounge.
“It was great to see the snow, but I didn’t think I’d be stuck here,” one man trying to get to his home in southern Okinawa told broadcaster HTB.