Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have been forced to cancel flights as Typhoon Ampil makes it way towards the eastern region of Kanto-Koshin, which includes the capital city Tokyo. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) classed it as ""very strong"" intensity - the second highest below a ""violent"" intensity.
As of August 16, 2024, at 10:30 BST, Ampil has wind speeds of 45 m/s with maximum gust of 60 m/s, the JMA's live tracker said. A violent typhoon is class as 54 m/s or above maximum wind speed. Heavy rainfall is expected to impact the region too.
The JMA warned citizens on its website: ""The Kanto region is expected to experience fierce winds that could cause injuries from flying debris or even overturn trucks in motion.""
ANA said on its website flights to and from Tokyo's two airports - Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita Airport - have been cancelled or delayed. ""Depending on the impact on flight operations on August 16, some flights on August 17 may also be delayed,"" it read on its website.
JAL said its flights from the two Tokyo airports had also been cancelled or ""significantly"" delayed due to the Typhoon. It added: ""Other flights are expected to be delayed due to aircraft rotation affected by the typhoon.""
According to Cirium data, ANA had cancelled 274 flights on August 16, 2024, as of 12:15pm BST - equating to 53% of all scheduled flights. JAL cancelled 296 flights so far, equating to 56% of all scheduled flights.
Japanese airlines forced to cancel flights as typhoon approaches
