US Airlines Resume Operations to Tokyo

US Airlines Resume Operations to Tokyo

US Airlines Resume Operations to Tokyo

Various American Airlines announced that they have resumed their normal flight operations and regular schedules to Japan. Japan, the world's third largest economy, was devastated by a powerful earthquake and a massive tsunami on Friday. Several airports in the country were closed down affecting flight schedules of various airlines.

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines announced on Sunday that they will operate their full schedules to one of the Japan's primary gateway, Tokyo's Narita International Airport. The airlines also announced that they are not going to evacuate their locally based employees from Japan.

However, United's Continental Airlines abandoned its daily flight from Guam to the Sendai airport for an indefinite period. Sendai is located very close to the epicentre of the earthquake and was washed away by the resulting tsunami. The airline is trying to get its travellers to Japan's other airports.

United's spokeswoman said that company's nearly 1,000 employees are currently in Japan at different airports and offices. The spokeswoman announced that there no reports of injuries to any of these Japan-based employees. To an apparent relief to various cost conscious travellers, United further added that passengers who booked tickets on flights to, from and through Japan can have their flight schedules changed without any penalty fee through March 18. This indeed comes as a respite to travellers who booked early and landed up with tickets on cheap flights.

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines also announced fee waivers on any schedule changes. Passengers who booked cheap tickets on Delta flights to and from Japan will be entitled to make one-time travel change through March 20. Delta Air Lines further said that the airline is not evacuating its 1,200 Japanese-based employees, majority of who are Japanese nationals.

Japanese Airports' Updates

The Sendai Airport is undoubtedly the most affected Japanese airport as it was completely flooded with water as tsunami struck the north-east Japan. Military's technical personnel have been called in to gauge the damage and begin the restoration process.

Japans' Ibaraki Airport also experienced some anxious moments as airport terminal's ceiling panels fell off to the floor. The airport is expected to resume normal operations from 14th March 2011.

Hanamaki Airport and Fukushima Airport will be used to transport relief and rescue supplies.

Travel Advisories for Japan

Different countries have issued travel warnings to Japan as the country battles with nature's fury. United States recommends its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Japan, while UK's FCO has advised against all non-essential travel to Tokyo and northeast Japan. Similarly, the French government has urged its nationals to leave the Tokyo region, citing the threat of more earthquakes and leakage of nuclear plants. Germany's foreign minister also advised Germans to consider if their travel to the Yokohama/Tokyo region is really necessary.

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