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Skymark Airlines offers free flight cancellation for infants and toddlers due to sudden illness
May 22nd 2026
On May 20, 2026, Japan’s Skymark Airlines began the trial of the new policy under which it will fully refund airfares for ticket cancellations due to the sudden illness of children aged 6 or younger. Read More » Submitting a hospital receipt or medical statement issued within three days before or after the scheduled departure date will allow you to receive the full refund from the airline without any cancellation fee. Skymark said a medical certificate is not required, and all illnesses and injuries are eligible, from seasonal colds and influenza to COVID‑19 and other Category V infectious diseases under Japan’s Infectious Diseases Control Law. The cancellation fees will also not be applied to accompanying adults, but only when the eligible child and the companion cancel simultaneously. The policy allows only refunds. The changes to the reservation will not be accepted.
Skymark Airlines said the new policy was based on a proposal from Skymark employees who are raising children. They explained that some travelers with children in Japan had hesitated to book flights due to concerns about cancellation fees, because infants and toddlers are prone to sudden changes in condition, such as high fevers. The new policy is meant to ease this anxiety and encourage parents to travel. The trials of the policy will run until March 31, 2027. Based on the feedback, around January 2027, Skymark Airlines will decide whether to make the new policy its permanent offer.
