SIA maintaining flights to & from Japan

SIA maintaining flights to & from Japan

Singapore Airlines has said it is maintaining its flight operations to and from Japan despite fears of radiation leaks from nuclear plants in the country.

SIA spokesman Nicholas Ionides said they are monitoring the situation and would change operations if the need arises.

He also said SIA is seeing some cancellations for flights into Tokyo while "loads for flights out of the Japanese capital are strong".

Mr Ionides said the "situation remains fluid".

SIA is also making changes to two of its flights.

From Thursday to March 22, flights SQ12 and SQ11 between Singapore and Los Angeles via Tokyo Narita will make an additional stop at Osaka Kansai airport, about 400km southwest of Tokyo, as aftershocks are still being experienced in Tokyo.

SIA said this is to ensure the crew have sufficient rest.

Mr Ionides said the best way to be updated on the status of SIA flights to and from Japan is via its website - www.singaporeair.com.sg.

The Fukushima nuclear facility in Japan has seen explosions, fires and radiation leaks since the massive earthquake and tsunami waves cut power supplies which caused the reactor fuel rods to heat up.

The situation in Japan has seen some foreigners scrambling to leave the country.

Some airlines have either cancelled flights to Tokyo or have diverted their flights to Nagoya and Osaka, both hundreds of kilometres away from the capital.

Some carriers are also reducing the number of flights to Tokyo.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said on Tuesday that it was monitoring the potential impact of the radiological plume from the Fukushima plant.

It said developments so far do not necessitate the screening of aircraft or passengers for radiation.

SIA also said it will waive administrative fees for refund, re-booking or re-routing for customers holding confirmed tickets issued on or before March 11 for travel to and from all cities in Japan from March 11 to April 10, both dates inclusive.

This also applies to KrisFlyer redemption tickets.

-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-