Qantas is to resume direct services between Australia and Tokyo from April 19, after having routed services via Hong Kong to allow for crew rest there following concerns about radiation levels after the earthquake and tsunami which crippled Japan’s Fukushima nuclear powerplant last month.
“Qantas has been working closely with the Australian government, as well as industry and health experts including the International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organisation, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and World Health Organisation to monitor the situation in Japan,” Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said.
“Together with the advice of these authorities and our own assessments, Qantas is now satisfied that infrastructure services have returned to normal in Tokyo and our crew will now be able to undertake appropriate rest breaks.”
Qantas operates between Sydney and Tokyo daily, and three times a week between Perth and Tokyo, although the latter service is due to be suspended from May 10.
