Load factors drop on Sino-Japan routes as political tension escalates

Chinese carriers are seeing load factors drop on Sino-Japan routes due to rising political tension between China and Japan over a chain of disputed islands in the East China Sea. It is estimated approximately 15,000 Chinese passengers have cancelled trips to Japan scheduled between September and November. Juneyao Airlines has delayed the opening of its new 4X-weekly Shanghai-Okinawa route to November, which was scheduled to launch Sept. 20. Shanghai-based Spring Airlines (9C) cancelled ...