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A Japan Airlines (JAL) Boeing 737 flight from Shanghai to Narita, Japan has made an emergency landing at Kansai International Airport, Japanese media Essential Japan reported Monday night, citing the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Osaka Civil Aviation Bureau. All the 191 passengers and crew aboard were reported safe, with no injuries or health complaints, said the report.
The flight, JL8696/IJ004, was a codeshare flight operated by Japan Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Spring Airlines Japan, Kyodo News reported Tuesday.
Japan Airlines confirmed to the Global Times on Tuesday that the aircraft involved belongs to Spring Airlines Japan.
Meanwhile, the Spring Airlines told the Global Times that it operates flights under the code 9C and is an investor in Spring Airlines Japan Co., Ltd. (flight code IJ), holding a 33 percent stake, but does not participate in its operations or management. The majority shareholder of Spring Airlines Japan is Japan Airlines.
Kyodo News, citing relevant authorities, reported that an alert indicating an abnormality in the aircraft’s pressurization system, which maintains cabin pressure, was triggered. Suspecting a possible cabin depressurization, the pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and diverted to Kansai Airport.
The cause of the issue is currently under investigation, the report said.
A social media user, Cyue, posted that the plane began a rapid descent of 7,000 meters at around 6:40 pm. About 10 minutes into the descent, oxygen masks were deployed, and a crew member announced over the intercom that an emergency descent was required.
The airline later offered 15,000 yen ($93) in transportation compensation and provided one night of accommodation, she added.