Thanks for comments. Sure it was different back then, I was back in memory lane when scanning all those photos.

Yes, KIJ (Niigata) - KHB (Khabarovsk) is weired one. I though it is political thing between Japanese government at USSR government back then. However, informaiton from City of Niigata website, in 1962 mayor of Niigata visited Khabarovsk and had discussion about trade. Trades between Far East Russia and western coast side of Japan is nothing unusual historically. Hakodate had trade between Far East Russia for very long time. Akita had freight ship from Far East Russia on regular basis for long time. I think City of Niigata tried to be part of it.

Then Niigata earthquake hit in 1964, magnitude 7.4 devestated Niigata. Khabarovsk and Vladivostok sent 3,000 square meters of lumber for rebuilding of Niigata. 1965 Niigata and Khabarovsk became sister cities. 1973 KIJ-KHB flight started. Vladivostok was navy port and non-Russians were not allowed to visit till 1992. Interesting history. It can go back to Japan-Russia war on 1904, but I think that will go off topic very fast.

Now in '90s. Did not find a lot of photos from '90s, but I have not gone through half of photos I have, could show up later.

Aeroflot, still going strong with Ilyshin Il-62 back in '90s


Iran Air (IR) 747SP. Many Japanese companies had tie with Middle East oil producers. I did hear there was (still is?) high business demand between Japan and Middle East. In '80s and '90s Iran Air flight was the one if wanted to go to Middle East. I read before that Iran Air even had Tokyo based flight attendant to fly on their NRT-IKA flight, which I think it stopped at Beijing (PEK) I think. Not sure if Iran Air ever flew non-stop NRT-IKA.. The background of this photo, by '90s PanAm was no more in Japan. See United tails.


Air Lanka (UL,current SriLankan Airlines ) L1011-500. I love L1011. Maldives become popular toruists destination for Japanese, Air Lanka made good money on NRT-CMB-MLE. SQ (Singapore Airlines) flew SIN-MLE so SQ also tapped into Japanese toruist on NRT-SIN-MLE Earlier UL NRT-CMB flight stopped at FUK (Fukuoka), I don't think it was a range thing of L1011-500. NRT-CMB is shorter than NRT-SFO and United flew NRT-SFO using L1011-500, which United had to buy from PanAm when they purchased PanAm Pacific route in late '80s. But also could have been range thing, I vaguley remember that back then Air Lanka (UL) did not have over flight permission from some countries so they had to make detour south flying between Japan and Sri Lanka.


Continue.