A Chinese airliner took off from Osaka's international airport without clearance from air traffic controllers sparking an investigation by civil aviation authorities from the two countries.

No untoward incident occurred at the Kansai International Airport Monday when the China Eastern Airline (CEA) flight, MU516 suddenly took off after being instructed by flight controllers to wait in the runway. The instruction was apparently in English.

The Airbus A330-200 with 245 people aboard arrived safely in its destination in Shanghai.

The CEA issued a statement on its website Wednesday that "it will improve the English skills of its pilots to improve safety" suggesting that a miscommunication was the cause of the airport incident.

The CEA also said it is cooperating in the investigation of the incident by Japanese aviation authorities, who regard the pilots' action as "hazardous." The investigation will determine if the CEA pilots intentionally ignored the instruction to wait in the runway before taking off.

CEA officials were unavailable for comment.

The Chinese newspaper China Daily reported that the CEA pilots may face severe punishment. Japanese authorities, however, have no plans to punish the errant pilot.

A China Eastern Airlines plane.