First international flight from Fukushima since 3/11

September 10, 2012

International flight leaves Fukushima

      http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120910_21.html

A chartered flight for Shanghai, China, has taken off from Fukushima Airport. It's the first international flight since last year's earthquake and nuclear accident suspended all regular international services from Fukushima.

A ceremony was held at the airport on Monday to mark the occasion.

Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato said he is happy to see the first flight in 18 months take off. He said he will work with airport officials to resume regular services as soon as possible.

Sato will take the flight to visit Beijing and meet Chinese officials. He will request that China lift its travel restriction on Fukushima Prefecture and resume regular flights both ways.

A passenger in her 60s said she was traveling with her friends. She said messages should be sent out about how far Fukushima has recovered from the disaster.

The chartered flight to take tour groups from Japan to Shanghai has one more scheduled departure. But no plans for further flights have been made after that.

Before the disaster, regular flights from Fukushima served Shanghai and Seoul, South Korea.