TOKYO: Japan has implemented stricter air traffic control protocols following a tragic collision at Tokyo’s main airport, resulting in the death of five individuals but with hundreds managing to evacuate safely, the government said on Wednesday.
The emergency safety measures, introduced by the transport ministry, come in the aftermath of a Japan Airlines passenger jet colliding with a Coast Guard aircraft on a Haneda Airport runway on January 2.
All 379 passengers and crew on the airline were promptly evacuated, while five of the six crew members on the smaller plane, en route to deliver supplies to an earthquake-affected area, lost their lives. Nationwide, the new requirements dictate that a staff member must consistently monitor a system alerting control towers about runway incursions. Furthermore, to prevent misunderstandings, controllers are prohibited from informing planes of their take-off sequence, according to statements on the ministry’s website.
Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito emphasized his mission to restore public confidence in aviation as a mode of transportation. The ministry is establishing an expert panel to explore additional safety enhancements, with their recommendations expected later this week. The released communication transcript from the ministry indicates that the JAL plane received clearance to land, while the coast guard plane was instructed to stop before the runway.
The coast guard pilot, the sole survivor, reportedly believed he had clearance to proceed onto the runway, where his plane remained for approximately 40 seconds before the collision. Both planes’ charred wreckage was removed from Haneda’s tarmac, and flight operations returned to normal with additional staff at the control tower since Saturday. At Haneda, a dedicated staff member is now monitoring the warning system.
A transport ministry official overseeing aviation affairs explained to AFP that control center staff have various responsibilities, making it challenging to solely focus on the warning system. The Asahi newspaper reported at least 23 “serious incidents” risking runway collisions from 2013 to 2023, with suspected air traffic control errors in five cases.
