Typhoon Saudel, designated Typhoon No. 18 by the Japan Meteorological Agency, made landfall near Okinawa on the evening of August 25, 2026, bringing maximum sustained winds of around 144 km/h and heavy rainfall across the Ryukyu Islands. The storm caused widespread disruption to air and sea transport across the region.
Flight Cancellations
ANA and JAL combined cancelled 279 flights operating to and from Naha Airport on August 25–26, affecting an estimated 41,688 passengers. Routes to the Okinawa mainland and inter-island services between Naha, Miyako, and Ishigaki saw the heaviest cuts. Both carriers advised passengers to check their booking status directly and offered fee-free rebooking for affected flights.
Naha Airport itself remained open throughout the storm but operated at significantly reduced capacity. Ground staff managed long queues as stranded passengers sought rebooking assistance at check-in counters.
Ferry Services Also Suspended
Ferry services connecting Naha to Kagoshima and inter-island routes to outlying islands including Miyako-jima, Ishigaki-jima, and Kerama were suspended for two days. Passengers relying on sea transport for the Kerama Islands and northern Okinawa islands faced waits of 24–48 hours before services resumed.
Current Situation
By the morning of August 26, Saudel had weakened slightly as it tracked northeast toward Kyushu. The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted the storm warning for Naha city but kept heavy rain advisories in place for parts of the Okinawa mainland. Naha Airport expected to return to near-normal operations by the afternoon of August 26, though delays were anticipated as carriers worked through the backlog.
What This Means for Travellers
If you are travelling to or from Okinawa in the next few days, check your flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport. Significant delays remain likely on August 26 as schedules recover. Travellers should also check ferry operator websites before attempting inter-island sea crossings.
For general guidance on navigating typhoon season in Japan — including what to do if a storm disrupts your itinerary — our practical travel guide covers travel insurance, flight delay rights, and where to monitor official storm updates.
Japan’s typhoon season runs from June through October, with peak activity typically in August and September. We update our news section as conditions change.