On the evening of January 26, the mayor of Tarama Village, Mitsuo Irama, raised concerns about the impact of frequent flyers, or 'milers', on local air travel during a flight from Tarama Island to Miyako Island. He stated that the full booking of Japanese Airline (JAL) flights has been affecting the islanders' ability to attend necessary medical appointments and children's sports events, urging the 'milers' to consider local needs. This situation has arisen as the flights connecting the remote islands of Okinawa are booked full daily, largely attributed to passengers who collect miles for perks and status upgrades. Tarama Island, a small island with a population of around 1,000, relies heavily on air travel for its residents, with JAL's Ryukyu Air Commuter operating limited flights to and from the island. While flights are usually costly, residents benefit from subsidies that reduce fares significantly, making air travel a vital link, especially during winter when ferry services can be unreliable. The disruption began in December when it became increasingly difficult for residents to secure seats on flights, leading the mayor to request that JAL's Ryukyu Air Commuter increases flight frequency rather than just adding a couple of extra trips. He highlighted that the influx of mileage-training passengers is the main cause of this issue, and the local government is seeking solutions that can best accommodate both the tourists and the island's residents.