A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, prompting Kumamoto Airport to close its runway temporarily for inspection and disrupting several flights from Taiwan. According to airline statements reported by local media, China Airlines flight CI194 from Taipei Taoyuan to Kumamoto held before diverting to Fukuoka. Starlux Airlines flight JX316 from Taichung to Kumamoto also diverted to Fukuoka International Airport (FUK).
Tigerair Taiwan identified two affected services: IT794 from Tainan to Kumamoto and IT767 from Kumamoto to Kaohsiung. The airline said at the time that both flights were expected to operate the following day, subject to the reopening of the runway and the restoration of ground operations at Kumamoto Airport. Because conditions were changing, passengers were advised to rely on current airline and airport notices rather than treating live discussions or flight-tracking images as final operational decisions.
China Airlines separately announced special handling for passengers booked to or from Kumamoto through August 5, 2026. Eligible passengers changing to a Fukuoka or Kagoshima service within 14 days before or after the affected flight date, or requesting a refund, may have the applicable handling fees waived under the notice. Passengers should contact the original issuing travel agency, a China Airlines service center or a local branch; eligibility remains subject to the airline's review.
The airline also said it would provide air transport capacity for relief supplies free of charge through the end of August, working with government agencies, charities, religious groups and relevant rescue organizations. Acceptance requirements, shipment arrangements and available capacity will depend on subsequent coordination with China Airlines and the responsible authorities.
Travel-forum discussions carried rapid eyewitness and flight-movement updates after the earthquake, but posts and comments are not official airline or airport notices. AVWIRE therefore uses the forum material only as timeline context; the reported diversions, postponements and ticket measures are based primarily on airline statements and corroborating media reports.
