Japanese government doubles the number of international flights allowed from 2010
Tokyo's primarily domestic Haneda airport looks set to be opened to many more international flights than originally planned once a fourth runway opens in 2010.
Haneda is easily Asia's busiest airport, but it mainly handles domestic flights, with only limited international charters during overnight hours plus special shuttle flights during the day to Seoul's primarily domestic Gimpo airport and Shanghai's primarily domestic Hongqiao airport. The overnight charters began in 2001, while Gimpo flights began in 2003, followed by Hongqiao flights last year.
Most of the international flights serving Tokyo operate to Narita airport, which is much further away from the Japanese capital's main business districts. Business travellers in particular prefer Haneda and airlines have been looking forward to the opening of the long-awaited fourth runway in 2010 to allow for its so-called "internationalisation".
Japan's minister for land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, unveiled in May a proposal to allow 60,000 international flights per year from Haneda after the fourth runway opens, up from 30,000 as originally planned. The proposal calls for 30,000 slots to be earmarked for international services during daytime hours, mainly to destinations within Asia. The remaining 30,000 international slots are to be for flights during overnight hours, mainly to European destinations.
Authorities are being careful not to open up Haneda to too many international flights, however, for fear of an exodus from Narita. Congested Narita will in 2010 also have many new slots after an extension is completed of its secondary runway. Narita has an overnight curfew while 24hr operations are allowed at Haneda.
Until last year international charter flights were only allowed at Haneda between 23:00 and 06:00 but departures are now allowed from 20:30 and arrivals until 08:30. Ahead of the wider opening of Haneda to international flights, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have been adding charter flights to key business destinations such as Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific Airways has also launched charter flights between Hong Kong and Haneda and says it hopes to eventually serve Haneda with scheduled flights.
Source: Airline Business
