Japan Airlines (JAL) is launching flights between Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) in April. The airline was supposed to launch these flights last March but the plans were modified amid the impact of the pandemic.
Strong connections
Four years ago, Japan Airlines and Aeroflot launched their expensive business partnership. JAL noted that the flag carrier of Russia’s gateway hub is located at Sheremetyevo and has the largest network in its country, allowing passengers to travel to and from various destinations. According to Routesonline, the Moscow service will operate once a week and Aeroflot will codeshare on the route.
The first service to leave Tokyo next month is on April 2nd. The flight will leave HND at 07:10 to arrive at SVO at 11:20. The total flight duration heading west is 10 hours and 10 minutes.
JAL had previously been making trips from Tokyo to Moscow Domodedovo before the pandemic. The switch to Sheremetyevo was supposed to happen on March 29th, but international travel was disrupted.
Additional steps
Along with this decision, JAL resumed between Tokyo Narita (NRT) and San Diego (SAN) yesterday. This route was dropped last April, also due to the global health crisis. There are changes to the schedule this time as the operation will be conducted three times a week rather than the initial daily service.
San Diego International Airport is notably glad that this route is back on. The airport’s CEO, Kimberly Becker, noted Tokyo’s close relationship with the Californian city.
“The resumption of service to Tokyo is an important step in our recovery process,” Becker said, as reported by Routesonline.
“With many economic and defense ties between our two cities, this route will foster continued business interactions.”
Looking ahead
Altogether, these services are signs that recovery is on the cards following such a tough year for international travel. Even though most regions have been affected amid the restrictions, Asia-Pacific markets have significantly been rocked since the outbreak of the virus at the beginning of last year. There will undoubtedly be a slow rebuild, but flight resumptions are always a positive start.
Simple Flying reached out to Japan Airlines for comment on its flights from Tokyo to Moscow. We will update the article with any further announcements from the airline.
The schedule information in this article was originally published by Routesonline
What are your thoughts about Japan Airlines starting Tokyo to Moscow flights? Do you think that this is a good move by the carrier? Also, are you looking to fly internationally with the airline after restrictions clear? Let us know what you think of the overall situation in the comment section.
