NAHA - Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) continued on July 12, with airlines warning that some flights serving Okinawa’s outlying islands could still face delays, cancellations or conditional operations even after the storm moved away from the prefecture.
The focus has shifted from the widespread cancellations and airport closures seen on July 11 to the slower recovery of island transport networks. Airlines are working to restore aircraft rotations and crew schedules after several days of disruption, while ferry operators are waiting for sea conditions to settle before fully resuming services.
Japan Airlines said as of 10 a.m. on July 12 that Yonaguni remained at risk of flight disruption because of strong winds. The airline said flights at weather-affected airports could be delayed, canceled, required to return to their departure airport or diverted to another airport depending on conditions at the time of operation.
JAL also listed Tanegashima and Yakushima as airports at risk because of poor visibility, showing that the effects of the unsettled weather system were not limited to Okinawa’s Sakishima Islands. The airline said passengers should check the latest departure and arrival information before traveling, as decisions may vary by aircraft type and route.
Passengers booked on weather-affected JAL flights can change reservations or request refunds without handling fees. The airline is encouraging travelers who can adjust their plans to do so early, particularly on island routes where replacement seats may be limited after several days of cancellations.
All Nippon Airways is also urging passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport. ANA’s earlier typhoon-related disruption affected flights serving Naha, Miyako and Ishigaki, and the carrier’s recovery may continue to be affected by aircraft and crew positioning following cancellations during the storm’s closest approach.
The main risk for July 12 is no longer a full-scale shutdown across Okinawa, but uneven recovery. Flights that are not directly affected by wind or visibility may still face delays if aircraft scheduled to operate them were stranded elsewhere, crews were displaced or airport operations were disrupted by the previous day’s cancellations.
The latest warnings follow severe disruption on July 11, when ANA canceled 73 domestic flights, mainly involving Naha, Miyako and other Okinawa airports, affecting about 15,100 passengers. JAL canceled 54 domestic flights, affecting about 8,900 passengers. International services were also affected, with ANA and JAL canceling a combined 15 international flights and disrupting travel for about 2,250 passengers.
Across July 9 to July 11, typhoon-related flight cancellations reached nearly 500 services and affected more than 57,000 passengers. The disruption involved ANA, JAL, Japan Transocean Air, Ryukyu Air Commuter, Solaseed Air and other carriers, with Okinawa’s island routes suffering the heaviest impact.
Ishigaki, Miyako, Tarama and Yonaguni were among the hardest-hit airports during the storm’s passage. Strong winds, poor visibility and unsafe approach conditions prevented normal operations, while some airports and terminal facilities were effectively shut down for parts of the day. Ishigaki and Miyako, both important gateways for tourism and local travel, saw widespread cancellations that left some passengers unable to leave as scheduled.
For July 12, airlines are expected to give priority to restoring regular schedules and moving passengers stranded by earlier cancellations. That process may take time on remote island routes because there are fewer daily flights and limited spare aircraft. Travelers who missed flights during the storm may have to wait for available seats on later services, especially on routes connecting smaller islands with Naha or mainland Japan.
Ferry services are also expected to recover gradually. Many routes across the Sakishima region were suspended during the typhoon because of high waves and strong winds, including services linking Ishigaki with Taketomi, Iriomote, Kohama, Kuroshima, Hateruma and other nearby islands. Routes around Miyako, Kumejima, Aguni and the Kerama Islands also faced disruption as operators halted sailings for safety.
Even after winds weaken on land, ferry operators may keep some services suspended until wave heights fall and port conditions are confirmed safe. Travelers planning to move between islands on July 12 should check directly with ferry companies before going to ports, as some routes may resume later than others or operate on reduced schedules.
Cargo and delivery services may also continue to face delays. Cancellations of aircraft and ships during the typhoon affected the movement of mail, parcels and commercial freight to Okinawa and parts of Kagoshima Prefecture. Refrigerated and frozen deliveries are especially vulnerable because they depend on stable air and sea links, and delays may continue until regular transport schedules are fully restored.
The delivery impact could last longer than passenger disruption because cargo networks depend on both ships and aircraft returning to normal rotations. Island communities that rely on regular shipments of food, daily necessities, medical goods and business supplies may continue to see delays even after some passenger services resume.
Rail services on Japan’s main islands have avoided major direct disruption from the typhoon, with the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen operating largely normally during the Okinawa impact. However, passengers using rail to connect to flights are being advised to check airline information first, as trains may be running while flights from island airports remain delayed or canceled.
Travelers scheduled to fly on July 12 should confirm their flight status through airline websites or apps before leaving for the airport. Those booked on routes involving Yonaguni, Naha, Miyako, Ishigaki or other Okinawa islands should allow extra time for rebooking and avoid going to airports or ports unless their service has been confirmed.
Although Typhoon No. 9 has moved away from Okinawa, its transport impact has not fully ended. The main concern for Sunday is whether airlines, ferry companies and cargo operators can safely rebuild schedules after several days of disruption across the prefecture’s island network.
Weathernews Typhoon Transport Information
JR Central Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen Status
JR West Sanyo Shinkansen Status
JR Central Conventional Line Status
NEXCO Central Expressway Information
Source: OTV
