22 January 2026
Air Canada has announced its first direct winter seasonal service between Vancouver (YVR) and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport (CTS), marking a significant expansion in international access to Hokkaido’s northern ski destinations, including Niseko. The new route is scheduled to operate three times weekly from December 17, 2026 through March 25, 2027, using Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
This service will be the only nonstop link between North America and Sapporo, significantly reducing travel time for travellers from Canada, the United States, and connecting markets. Air Canada’s expanded network is positioning Vancouver as a key trans-Pacific hub, offering convenient connections from across North America directly into Japan’s premier winter leisure destinations.
The Vancouver–Sapporo flights will operate three times per week, with seasonal scheduling tailored to peak ski demand. This service complements other international airline activity into Sapporo and New Chitose, including seasonal direct flights previously operated by carriers such as Qantas from Sydney to Sapporo, which ran on a similar three-times-weekly basis over the 2025/26 winter season offering another direct Asia-to-Hokkaido option for ski travellers.
What This Means for Niseko
The addition of direct international routes to Hokkaido — especially from long-haul markets — is a strong indicator of growing global interest in Japan’s winter tourism sector. Easier access typically correlates with extended stays and broader visitor dispersion throughout the region, supporting demand for ski resorts, accommodations, and related services beyond just Sapporo’s immediate area.
For the Niseko property market, improved international flight connectivity matters. Direct flights to New Chitose reduce total travel times from major source markets, making it more convenient for high-value visitors to include Niseko in their itineraries. Increased tourism access helps sustain year-on-year visitation patterns, bolsters confidence in rental demand, and indirectly supports property viability as a global leisure destination.
Even before this announcement, airlines have incrementally improved access to Hokkaido during peak seasons, including year-round flights to Tokyo and seasonal services to Osaka, further enabling international travellers to reach New Chitose and onward to Niseko with connections that are easier and more efficient.
As global carriers continue to evaluate and expand routes into Japan, including discussions around future services to multiple Japanese cities, travellers and property stakeholders alike should monitor how flight connectivity trends continue to shape tourism patterns and real estate appeal in Niseko and beyond.
