Snow in Tokyo causing disruption to flights

UPDATED (5pm Hong Kong) A heavy snowfall - the first December snow fall in Tokyo for 11 years - is causing some disruption of domestic and international flights in the Tokyo area, affecting flights at Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

As of 17:00 hours. Japan standard time, JAL had cancelled 34 domestic flights. Delays of up to 2 hours are expected. Passenger affected: 6,001

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

(1) So far only one JAL flight has been cancelled (JL415 Tokyo-Paris December 9).

(2) Both runways are operable but there are delays in flight departure of up to 3 hours. Aircraft require de-icing and this procedure is leading to delays. Passenger affected by delays: 5,500.

(3) Arriving aircraft may have to divert to alternate airports (Sapporo for flights arriving from Europe and North America - Kansai (Osaka) for flights arriving from S.E.Asia and Oceania.