TOKYO -
Asian airlines said they will divert
planes from the intended flight path of North Korea's rocket as shipping in the
area was warned Tuesday to beware of falling debris.
Japan's
two largest carriers, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said they will
alter the route of flights between Tokyo and Southeast Asian cities including
Manila, Jakarta and Singapore during the planned rocket launch window.
Philippine
Airlines said it "plans to reroute some of its flights in view of the
possible effects on a portion of Philippine territory of the satellite launch
of North Korea within the month."
The
moves came as Philippine air control authorities declared a no fly zone in
airspace where North Korea's rocket was projected to pass, a Japanese transport
ministry official told AFP.
The
Philippine-flag carrier said in a statement yesterday that the splashdown area
for the rocket's second stage was expected to be "just east of
Luzon".
It said
yesterday that it will divert a dozen flights from the United States, Japan and
South Korea to steer clear of the rocket's possible path to ensure its
passengers' safety. However, the airline has no plans to cancel any flights,
reported BBC News.
"The
Japanese side are also preparing to issue a 'notice to airmen' that warns them
not to enter a no fly zone set by the Philippine authorities," he said.
"These
no fly zone-related notices should apply to all international carriers,"
he added.
JAL
will have four flights a day on expected rocket launch dates. Airline official
Norio Higashimine said each flight will carry more fuel in case of an
unexpected route change. Flight time is also expected to be added by five to 20
minutes.
Passengers
on the affected international flights may change their reservations if they
wish. Domestic flights will not be affected.
ANA
announced changes to five flights but said that flight schedules will not be
affected.
The
re-routing comes as North Korea ramps up its preparations for what it says is a
peaceful satellite launch, but what Japan and its Western allies claim is a
disguised missile test.
Pyongyang
insists the launch, which is planned for some time between April 12 and 16 to
mark the centenary of the birth of late founding president Kim Il-Sung, is its
right.
But
countries around the globe have condemned the plan, which they say will
contravene UN resolutions.
South
Korea has vowed to shoot down the rocket if it strays into its territory. Japan
has said it may do likewise.
The
South's military plans to deploy destroyers armed with missiles to the Yellow
Sea to track the rocket.
The
transport ministry in Seoul said it would provide up-to-date information to
shipping on the rocket launch.
All 15
maritime traffic control centres will be placed on alert from Wednesday,
issuing navigation warnings every two hours to protect vessels operating in the
Yellow Sea, it said.
The
first stage of the rocket is expected to fall in waters 170 kilometres (100
miles) west of Gunsan in the southwest of South Korea, it said.
Japan's
coast guard on Tuesday began issuing warnings to ships in the area to be on the
lookout for falling debris from the rocket.
"We
are announcing by radio the expected time and places where falling objects
could appear," coast guard spokesman Yoshiyuki Terakado said.
Coast
guard officials will issue the warning every day in Japanese and English until
the launch is confirmed, he said.
In the
Philippines, commercial fishing vessels have been told to remain in port during
the launch window.
Office
of Civil Defence chief Benito Ramos said evacuation plans had also been put in
place in case debris fell on the Philippines' island of Luzon.
"Our
concern is that in a worst case scenario the trajectory (of the rocket)
deviates by even a few degrees, it could jettison its booster over mainland
Luzon and there could be a lot of people affected," he said.
The
Philippine navy has deployed ships northeast of Luzon.
Vice
Admiral Alexander Pama said: "I don't think there is anyone who can
exactly say where the rocket (debris) will land, so we are working in the
context of estimates. Our naval forces have already been given heads up to be
on alert."
"As
we speak now, plans are being put in place relative to contingencies that could
happen. The ships are going to be there in case there is a need for assistance
just in case vessels get hit," he said.
AFP
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