ICAO and four other UN bodies issued a joint statement declaring air travel to/from Japan safe, adding that they are "monitoring the situation closely and will advise of any changes."
With Japan scrambling to manage unstable nuclear reactors following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Meteorological Organization and the International Maritime Organization joined with ICAO to state, "International flight and maritime operations can continue normally into and out of Japan's major airports and sea ports, excluding those damaged by the tsunami, according to the latest information available."
The organizations added that there is "currently no medical basis for imposing restrictions" and "screening for radiation of international passengers from Japan is not considered necessary at this time."
IATA said it welcomed the UN statement and reiterated that there "are no restrictions to normal air transport operations at Japan's major airports, including both (Tokyo) Haneda and Narita." DG and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said in a statement: "Effective air links are critically important at this time. Our members are rising to the challenge of bringing relief supplies, equipment and people to Japan as well as connecting families affected by this tragedy."
IATA has warned of a "major slowdown" near-term in the Japanese air transport market.
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