Operation Wuhan: How US and Japan planned evacuations of citizens

Cheers erupt on American flight; Tokyo passengers ignite criticism

Personnel in protective clothing approach an aircraft, chartered by the U.S. State Department, after it arrived at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, California, on Jan. 29. © Reuters

MASAYA KATO and ALEX FANG, Nikkei staff writers

January 30, 2020 06:26 JST

Updated on January 30, 2020 10:43 JST

TOKYO/NEW YORK -- When the crew of Kalitta Air flight K4371 announced "Welcome home to the United States" upon arriving at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska on Wednesday morning, the "whole plane erupted in cheers," said Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer who was in charge of screening the passengers.