Runway at Tokyo Airport reopens after deadly plane collision – Reports

MOSCOW, January 8 (Sputnik) – Runway C at Tokyo International Airport, also known as Haneda Airport, resumed operations six days after a collision and subsequent deadly ignition of planes, Japanese media reported on Monday.

The closure of one of four runways at Haneda led to cancellations of over 200 flights each day since Tuesday, affecting an estimated 30,000 passengers, the NHK broadcaster reported.

All Nippon Airways is planning to resume operation of all flights, and Japan Airlines will operate all but 14 flights between Haneda and airports in Osaka, Fukuoka and Kumamoto, the report said. All service is expected to return to normal on January 10, the report added.

On Tuesday, a Japan Airlines aircraft with 379 passengers on board caught fire on the runway of Haneda Airport after landing and colliding with a Japan coast guard plane, media reported. Five of six people on board the coast guard aircraft were reportedly killed, and nearly 20 others were injured in the accident. All runways of Haneda Airport were closed and about 230 flights were canceled that day.

Meanwhile, the Kyodo news agency reported, citing sources familiar with an investigation into the recent aircraft incident, that the landing of the Japan Airlines passenger aircraft had taken place after the crew duplicated the permission received from the air traffic control. Moreover, the aircraft reported no problems during the flight and before landing.