The contagion has spread to the Gold Coast..... or is Mr Westaway being his usual economical with the truth?
When a major airline says it cannot crew its flights due to crew shortages, for whatever reason, why do journos refuse to enquire further?
Australian airlines dodge radiation risk
AUSTRALIAN airlines have restructured their routes in and out of Tokyo.
The changes come amid speculation a Jetstar flight was cancelled because the crew refused to stay overnight in the city.
Jetstar has since diverted its Japanese services via Osaka to allow staff to rest outside the city, while Qantas staff have begun laying over in Hong Kong.
Speculation is rife among Jetstar employees that the cancellation of Monday's flight JQ11 from the Gold Coast followed a rebellion by the flight crew who feared the risk of aftershocks and nuclear radiation. Jetstar confirmed it had "welcomed feedback" from the JQ11 crew, but denied that caused the interruption.
"We simply didn't have enough people to crew the flight," spokesman Simon Westaway said.
Fear of radiation poisoning has prompted Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines to screen aircraft for radiation exposure.
Australian and International Pilots Association vice-president Richard Woodward has urged Qantas to follow their lead.