Chinese airline evacuates stranded passengers after typhoon, quake in Japan

Source: Xinhua | 2018-09-10

Tianjin Airlines has changed to larger passenger aircraft on its Tokyo-Tianjin air route to evacuate Chinese passengers stranded at Japanese airports in wake of a typhoon and earthquake.

New Chitose Airport, near Sapporo, was closed after a powerful earthquake rocked Hokkaido Prefecture in north Japan Tuesday. Kansai International Airport was also closed as Osaka was hit by a typhoon. Outbound passengers have swarmed to Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

Tianjin Airlines, based in north China's Tianjin Municipality, said it replaced an A320 with larger A330-200 on the Tokyo-Tianjin flight Saturday and Sunday.

From Monday until Sept. 18, an A330-300 plane, the air company's newly added widebody, will be used to fly the route, capable of carrying 303 passengers a time. The adjustment will add an additional 900 seats on return flights from Japan.