Japan invokes 30km no-fly zone around Fukushima plant; more flights to north-east - Update 4
- Japan's Transport Ministry has established a 30 km no-fly zone around the Fukushima nuclear power station to prevent radioactive particles from affecting passing aircraft.
- Stock markets in Asia experienced significant declines due to the escalating nuclear crisis near Tokyo, with the Nikkei 225 index plunging 10.6% to its lowest level since April 2009.
- Japanese airlines are increasing flights to Northeast Japan to aid in evacuations and relief efforts, with All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines scheduling additional services to affected areas.
- Japan Airlines will maintain a capacity of five daily Tokyo (Haneda) flights with 290-seat aircraft to support transportation needs in the region.
- US Forces have been granted permission to use Yamagata Airport for rescue activities related to the Tohoku Earthquake, assisting in the recovery efforts for Sendai Airport following the tsunami.
- The utilization of a civil airport in Japan by US Forces for non-emergency purposes is a rare occurrence, highlighting the severity of the situation and the need for international assistance.
Stock markets across Asia were battered yesterday by the worsening nuclear situation near Tokyo. The Nikkei 225 endured its third biggest daily fall, plummeting 10.6% at the close to its lowest level since Apr-2009. The index fell as much as 14.5% during the day. ANA slumped 10.7%. Other North Asian airline stocks were sold off.
Asia Pacific airline shares: 15-Mar-2011
More flights to affected areas
Japanese airlines continue to schedule additional services to Northeast Japan to assist with evacuations and the relief effort.
All Nippon Airways is operating seven extra return services today:
- Sapporo-Fukushima - 1 return flight;
- Nagoya-Fukushima - 2 return flights;
- Osaka-Fukushima - 2 return flights;
- Haneda-Fukushima - 2 return flights.
Japan Airlines (JAL) is providing 15 extra return flights:
- Sapporo-Aomori - 3 return flights;
- Sapporo-Hanamaki - 1 return flight;
- Haneda-Yamagata - 5 return flights;
- Haneda-Hanamaki - 1 return flight;
- Osaka-Hanamaki - 1 return flight;
- Osaka-Yamagata - 1 return flight;
- Osaka-Akita - 1 return flight.
Between 16-Mar-2011 and 26-Mar-2011, JAL will maintain capacity of five daily Tokyo (Haneda) flights to 290 seats per flight, by using 290-seat A300-600 aircraft instead of B737-800 (165 seats) amd MD90 (150).
Air Do is operating two additional Sapporo-Fukushima flights.
US Forces aircraft to use Yamagata Airport for rescue activities
At a press conference held on 15-Mar-2011, Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa disclosed that US Forces have permission from the governor of Yamagata Prefecture to use Yamagata Airport for rescue activities related to the Tohoku Earthquake. Yamagata Airport is a base for transporting various materials and supplies necessary for the recovery of Sendai Airport which was inundated by the tsunami. The US Marine Corps are also to help with the clear up of debris and rubble swept onto Sendai Airport's runway and taxiways.
It is quite exceptional for US Forces to use a civil airport in Japan other than those designated in the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement, except for emergency landings.