Hokkaido Air System (HAC) continues to face operational disruptions due to the prolonged grounding of one of its four ATR 42-600 aircraft. It has been under repair in Hakodate, Japan, since an incident on Dec. 11, 2025, and is expected to stay grounded until Jan. 9, 2026.
Hokkaido Air System
HAC is a Japanese regional airline based in Sapporo, Japan. Founded in 1997, it is known for connecting remote areas, offering lower operating costs and fuel efficiency with eco-friendly ATR turboprops.
The airline serves domestic destinations and is a vital link to remote areas in Japan. HAC says it is also focused on community ties, safety and sustainability by lowering emissions.
ATR 42-600 Aircraft
The ATR 42-600 is a regional airliner known for connecting smaller cities and was built to operate from shorter and unpaved runways. This enabled HAC to expand their network possibilities as a key part of Japan’s northern air transport network.
The aircraft is a successor to the ATR 42-500 and focuses on increased efficiency and dispatch reliability.
Some key features include:
- Twin Pratt & Whitney PW127M turboprop engines
- Advanced glass cockpit with modern avionics
- Seats 446-50 passengers
- “Armonia” interior, lighter seats, wider overhead bins and in-flight entertainment
- Cruise speed around 287-300 knots
- Up to 920 miles or around 800 nautical miles with a full load
ATR 42-600 Incident
This incident happened during Japan Airlines (JAL) Dec. 11 flight from Sapporo-Okadama Airport (OKD), leading to its grounding and affecting HAC’s operations into early January.
The grounding incident involved a gear-up landing scenario following electrical issues. It happened during the initial climb after take-off and is classified as a serious incident, since the aircraft had to be taken out of service for repairs.
The Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) display indicated a malfunction in the right engine, and the flight was declared an emergency. The left engine also lost thrust temporarily, which resulted in a drop in altitude and the aircraft flying at a low altitude.
The flight crew decided to land at Hakodate Airport (HKD) with a priority to Air Traffic Control (ATC). The aircraft made a safe landing, and there were no reported injuries.
Overall, the carrier expects that the ATR 42-600 grounding will lead to the cancellation of 80 flights and the rescheduling of 112 more.
How do you think this grounding will affect the airport? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
