Japan’s continuing nuclear crisis after the earthquake and tsunami in early March still is affecting airline flight schedules in and out of the country. The expectation is that schedule adjustments will be necessary for another month at the very least.
Delta Air Lines, the largest airline serving Minneapolis/St. Paul, continues to operate its daily Boeing 747-400 flight to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. It has suspended all service indefinitely to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, but is for the most part operating its massive Narita hub. The sole exception is the Tokyo to Guangzhou, China route which has been temporarily suspended. Delta's daily Tokyo non-stop is a 12 hours and 20 minute flight that departs mid-afternoon from MSP.
The former Northwest Airlines hub that Delta coveted as part of the merger with NWA in 2008 offers service to major Asian cities such as Seoul, Hong Kong, Osaka, Manila, Bangkok, Beijing, Taipei, Shanghai, Singapore and many other destinations. The Atlanta-based carrier is projecting a revenue loss of between $250 and $400 million from its Tokyo operations because of the catastrophes.
American Airlines has also announced the suspension of two of its six daily flights to Japan from the United States, citing a drop in passenger demand as the reason behind its decision. The specific routes that won’t operate from April 6 through April 25 are a New York – JFK to Tokyo Haneda flight, and a second from Dallas/Fort Worth to Tokyo Narita.
All airlines based in Asia have been affected by the situation in Japan, including Japan Airlines. JAL has reduced its weekly flights between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu from 21 down to 14 round-trips. The impact to the Aloha State of fewer Japanese tourists arriving could be devastating but has not yet been quantified. The reduction so far by JAL is just for a 11-day time period, but if passenger doesn’t improve it could be extended indefinitely.
With each airline making its own schedule adjustments it is suggested that all travelers holding reservations to Japan and beyond check with their respective carrier prior to heading to the airport.
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