Intl flights resume at Sendai Airport

Sendai Airport in northeastern Japan has resumed international services that had been suspended since the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. Passengers boarded the first flight to Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday.

About 30 airport and local government officials attended the reopening ceremony at the terminal building. They offered silent prayers for the victims of the March 11th disaster.

Transport minister Takeshi Maeda said he wants to pay respect to the officials and staff who worked enthusiastically to achieve a recovery only half a year after the catastrophe.

Sendai Airport restarted domestic services in July, but many international airlines delayed making a decision because they wanted to see the outcome of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

The president and CEO of Asiana Airlines, Yoon Young-doo, said his airline decided to resume operations one month earlier than planned as strong demand from local residents is expected. He added that he is happy to see the departure of the first flight since March 11th.

A 69-year-old woman who wants to visit Seoul said she is glad she finally can go on the trip she planned a long time ago. She said she hopes to contribute to the reconstruction of the area by taking a flight from Sendai.

Flights to Guam and Taiwan will be restarted next month, and services to Beijing will resume from March next year.