Tokyo-Shanghai Flight Turned Back After Onboard Seat Dispute

A Spring Airlines Japan flight bound for Shanghai was forced to return to Tokyo's Narita Airport on Monday after a passenger's behavior allegedly disrupted cabin order and threatened flight safety, the carrier said in a statement on Tuesday.

Flight IJ005, operating from Narita to Shanghai Pudong on December 1, turned back mid-air after a traveler "obstructed the safe operation of the flight," making it impossible to maintain order on board, the joint-venture airline said. The company did not specify the actions involved.

Several passengers earlier told Jimu News that the incident began when a man and his female companion, who were seated separately, asked flight attendants to arrange adjacent seats. When the request was refused, a verbal dispute reportedly broke out. Cabin crew alerted authorities and the aircraft initiated a return to Narita. After landing, the man was taken away by Japanese police, according to passengers.

Spring Airlines Japan said it compensated each traveler 10,000 yen (US$64) upon arrival in Narita and arranged alternative travel. The delayed flight departed again at 10am on December 2, according to Jiefang Daily.

Flight-tracking data showed IJ005 had been scheduled to depart Tokyo at 7:43pm for Shanghai.

Spring Airlines Japan was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Narita, Chiba Prefecture. The company is currently controlled by Japan Airlines, while China's Spring Airlines holds only a financial stake.