(VOVworld) - Kumamoto airport in Japan's quake-ravaged southwest prefecture opened for the first time Tuesday for commercial flights since the region was pummeled by two major quakes from Saturday and hundreds of aftershocks.

Japan's Kumamoto airport reopens after quake (Photo: aviationweek)

All in and outbound flights from the airport were canceled after the airport's roof was damaged by the temblors. Military aircraft have been allowed to use the airport throughout the crisis to transport emergency supplies and personnel despite all commercial flights being suspended.