Flights to Japan severely hit

As air services from around the world to quake-hit Japan were severely disrupted, Air India today cancelled its flight to Tokyo but would fly to Osaka tonight.

Air India flight AI-306 to Tokyo's Narita Airport today "stands cancelled in view of the situation due earthquake and floods in Japan. The flight AI-314 to Osaka is expected operate as per schedule", an airline spokesperson said.

Air India operates seven flights from Delhi to Japan every week - four to Narita in Tokyo and three to Osaka.

According to reports, a 10-metre high tsunami tidal waves lashed Sendai airport and submerged the runway. Tokyo's Narita airport was also temporarily shut down following the quake, measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, and people asked to evacuate the terminals.

Reports said that a large number of flights to Japan from various parts of the globe, including Europe, UK and the US, were cancelled or diverted, leaving thousands stranded.

Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific said its flights to Japan have been affected and "may continue to be affected in the coming days. We will monitor the situation closely, especially the operation status of the affected airports". The services of Malaysia Airlines were also disrupted.

Both the airlines said their passengers and crew at the affected airports in Japan have been accounted for and were safe.

While the operations of Japanese carriers like All Nippon Airlines and Japan Airlines were severely affected, the reports said Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France-KLM were among several global carriers which cancelled or diverted flight to the affected airports.