Japanese airlines get government authorization to refuel with passengers on board

The relaxed rule comes in response to requests by budget airlines

Source Asia Pulse

March 2, 2012

Airlines will be able to refuel their planes while passengers are on board under relaxed rules the Japanese Transport Ministry will soon begin implementing.

Fueling aircraft with passengers aboard is not expressly prohibited, but neither is it specifically allowed. So airlines have considered the practice effectively banned, unloading passengers each time they have to refuel.

They will also no longer have to engrave plane numbers directly onto their aircraft. Instead, they will be able to attach metal panels. A growing number of airlines are leasing planes and could be required to pay compensation when returning damaged jets.

Starting this month, the ministry will gradually amend ordinances and official notices. The relaxed rules come in response to requests by budget airlines.

(Nikkei)