TOKYO —

Inclement weather and U.S. President Barack Obama’s departure caused delays of at least 30 minutes to more than 500 flights at Haneda airport in Tokyo on Saturday, with more than 20 flights canceled during the day, the transport ministry said.
   
Strong winds and rain restricted use of runways at the airport from early in the morning, leading to more than 100 flights being delayed or canceled by noon, according to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry. Although the rain subsided in the afternoon, Obama’s departure from the airport following his first visit to Japan since taking office in January caused further delays as one runway was closed off to other aircraft for about 20 minutes to give way to the Air Force One presidential plane, according to the ministry.
   
About 60 flights depart from or land at Haneda airport every hour, except for very early in the morning and late at night.

© 2009 Kyodo News. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.

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7 Comments

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  hereandthere at 07:56 AM JST - 15th November

  Obama’s departure from the airport following his first visit to Japan since taking office in January caused further delays

  Obama could always just bow "humbly" and utter "go-mena-sai"

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  my2sense at 09:04 AM JST - 15th November

  not shocking.

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  escape_artist at 09:33 AM JST - 15th November

  How many flights would the weather here alone have delayed? Estimating that would allow readers to get a fairer idea of Obama's departure's effect. Would it have been that much different?

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  thethudelh at 02:26 PM JST - 15th November

  Why would that fool cause delays?

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  fondofj at 12:15 AM JST - 16th November

  This incident is not only for Obama. Any US president would cause this late. After all, Big Boss of the world or specially Japan's God father is departing from this land and that's definitely a huge factor.

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  fondofj at 12:17 AM JST - 16th November

  This incident is not only for Obama. Any US president would cause this delay. After all, Big Boss of the world or specially Japan's God father is departing from this land and that's definitely a huge factor.

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  Belesarius at 10:39 AM JST - 19th November

  Fondofj true anyone president would have. Why didnt he fly to an airbase would have been safer easier seems.

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