The only An-225 freighter has joined the international relief effort in the wake of Japan's recent earthquake and tsunami. Charter broker Air Partner organised the aircraft to carry 145 tonnes of blankets, food, water, medicines and respirators from Chateauroux in France to Tokyo Narita Airport, Japan.
The An-225 can transport large objects such as locomotives and 150-tonne generators and has been involved in previous humanitarian relief programs.
Meanwhile, in Japan, the government has warned Tokyo residents to stop young children drinking tap water as the radiation risk widens even as crews continue to work to cool the Fukushima reactors.
Higher-than-normal levels of radiation in vegetables, milk and other products coming from four prefectures surrounding the Fukushima plant also are causing concern.
In travel-related Japan news: Singapore-based Singapore Airlines has announced half of its Tokyo-Haneda flights will be suspended until further notice.
- Corporate travel in Japan has been decimated. One major Japanese travel agency says 70 per cent of domestic business trips and 'hundreds' of international itineraries have been cancelled.
- Hong Kong's Travel Industry Council says 238 groups with 2,853 participants have cancelled. Another 51 groups with 1,251 participants adjusted itineraries to visit other regions.
- Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia and South Korea all have reported widespread cancellations and deferment of Japan itineraries through to April-May.
An-225 joins Japan relief effort
Latest News
Thursday, 24 March 2011
The only An-225 freighter has joined the international relief effort in the wake of Japan's recent earthquake and tsunami. Charter broker Air Partner organised the aircraft to carry 145 tonnes of blankets, food, water, medicines and respirators from Chateauroux in France to Tokyo Narita Airport, Japan.
The An-225 can transport large objects such as locomotives and 150-tonne generators and has been involved in previous humanitarian relief programs.
Meanwhile, in Japan, the government has warned Tokyo residents to stop young children drinking tap water as the radiation risk widens even as crews continue to work to cool the Fukushima reactors.
Higher-than-normal levels of radiation in vegetables, milk and other products coming from four prefectures surrounding the Fukushima plant also are causing concern.
In travel-related Japan news: Singapore-based Singapore Airlines has announced half of its Tokyo-Haneda flights will be suspended until further notice.
- Corporate travel in Japan has been decimated. One major Japanese travel agency says 70 per cent of domestic business trips and 'hundreds' of international itineraries have been cancelled.
- Hong Kong's Travel Industry Council says 238 groups with 2,853 participants have cancelled. Another 51 groups with 1,251 participants adjusted itineraries to visit other regions.
- Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia and South Korea all have reported widespread cancellations and deferment of Japan itineraries through to April-May.
