Dubai:  Emirates has diverted its Tokyo-bound flight to Kansai, following the devastating tsunami that swept Japanese coast.

An Emirates Spokesperson told Gulf News, "Following Friday's earthquake that hit North East Japan, Emirates flight EK318 (Dubai to Tokyo) was diverted to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, due to the closure of Narita International Airport. Emirates continues to monitor the situation closely and will resume operations to Narita as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, UAE national carrier Etihad Airways said it is monitoring closely the effects of the devastating earthquake off the coast of Japan and the resulting tsunami.

"Our immediate thoughts are with the country and its people at this extremely challenging and difficult time," an Etihad spokesperson said.

"The next Etihad Airways flights to Nagoya (EY888) and Tokyo (EY878) from Abu Dhabi are currently due to depart on schedule at 10pm local time tonight."

Etihad Airways flight EY889 from Nagoya to Abu Dhabi is also due to depart as normal at 4.30pm Abu Dhabi time today.

Customers are advised to check the Etihad Airways website etihadairways.com for the latest information regarding flights as the situation is subject to ongoing review.

"Our commercial policy regarding tickets issued prior to March 11 for travel to/from Narita/Nagoya before March 25 2011 is as follows: a full refund on fully unutilised or partly utilised tickets, irrespective of the ticket type. All refund fees are waived. Refund may be applied for before April 15, 2011; and the ability to change the date of travel, for flights scheduled before May 31, 2011. All date change fees are waived. New bookings must be in the original class of booking.

Japan's Narita Airport said all flights arriving and departing the airport for the rest of the day have been canceled, leaving about 13,800 people stranded, spokeswomen Ryoko Yabe said by telephone.

The airport is about one hour by express train from central Tokyo.

Korean Air Lines Co. and Asiana Airlines Inc., South Korea's biggest carriers, said they suspended flights to Tokyo after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake shook buildings in the Japanese capital and unleashed a tsunami along the northern coast.

South Korea's transport ministry set up an emergency team to monitor the impact on passenger and freight flights to and from Japan, it said in e-mailed statement today. There are 17 flights operated daily by the two airlines between South Korea and Tokyo.