Interesting report from Damien over at upgrd noting that Lufthansa has pulled Tokyo off the market. The change is in effect for flights through 28 March at this point. Flights previously scheduled for service to Tokyo are now routing to Osaka and Nagoya with a stop in Seoul in both directions. Keeping flight crews out of Tokyo overnights explains the Seoul stops and there are plenty of reasons to have the flights terminate in Osaka or Nagoya rather than Tokyo.
It does raise the question, however, of what some of the other airlines are doing for flight crews on trips to or from Tokyo. As of today US-based carriers are mostly running their schedules as normal (the new Haneda flights are being suspended), without the re-routes or alternate destinations. And while flights departing Tokyo are packed the inbounds have seen a "measurable decline" in traffic, according to United Airlines.
Needless to say, my planned trip to Tokyo next weekend is now off. The only question remaining is whether I try to do it in the fall or try to head somewhere else in Asia now. I guess it all depends on how flexible the phone agents are.
Never miss another post: Sign up for email alerts and get only the content you want direct to your inbox.
BA are routing Narita flights via Hong Kong as well to ensure crew are only in Tokyo for a quick turnaround.
I live in Saitama, just outside of Tokyo.
It’s too bad that people have allowed hysterical media coverage inflate their fears of the situation here.
Yes radiation is a serious matter, as are the aftershocks, however Fukushima is 128 miles away and there has been no increase in radiation in the area.
I hope you are able to reschedule your trip and enjoy your time in Tokyo.
I didn’t cancel my trip because I was expecting to be showered with radiation in Tokyo. I moved it because I don’t want to be involved with the aftershocks or any of the potential other problems that exist, either real or imagined. Plus, I figure that there is probably someone in Tokyo who can make better use of my seat on the airplane to get in or out of town for more important reasons than my desire to have some sushi at Tsukiji one morning this weekend.
I’m a big believer in providing financial support in the form of helping disaster victims get back to their normal way of life as quickly as possible rather than just giving money to MSF or the Red Cross. And I’ll certainly be back to Tokyo and oter parts of Japan soon. Just not this weekend.
I’m hoping that prices drop and I will just do a mileage run early in the year for cheaper than usual. MSM coverage is so sensationalistic and I can’t believe how much people have bought into this BS.