Airlines chart cautious path for Japan inbound travel recovery

Airlines are planning to operate less than half the number of international flights to Japan, compared with pre-pandemic levels, for the rest of the year despite the government opening the country to tourists on June 10. The cautious outlook is a sign that Japan will face challenges attracting travelers under the current arrangements. Japan began allowing group tours from 98 countries and regions designated "blue," but the rules require tour guides to accompany visitors and make sure they follow mask-wearing and hand sanitizing protocols. All tourists are required to obtain a visa to enter the country. In all, 61,298 inbound flights to Japan are scheduled for July to December, 58% fewer than during the same period in 2019, according to aviation analytics company Cirium. Globally, the number of scheduled flights between July and December is set to decline by 29% compared with 2019, the company said. Japan's two biggest airlines, ANA and JAL, said they have yet to consider adding flights in response to Japan's tourism reopening. "There has been no meaningful increase in bookings from overseas tour groups," a spokesperson for ANA told Nikkei Asia. A JAL representative echoed that, saying, "There is little demand for tourists under the current arrangement."<br/>Not all airlines are so pessimistic. Singapore Airlines recently said it plans to increase the frequency of its Tokyo-Singapore flights from 14 per week to 21, starting in July. The move "is in anticipation of demand from inbound tourists as a result of Japan's gradual easing of border restrictions," a spokesperson told Nikkei Asia. Still, Singapore Airlines' total number of flights between Singapore and Japan will remain about half that of pre-COVID levels.<br/>