Tokyo's Narita International Airport is attempting to convince Japanese operators to add more domestic services with a new concessions scheme.
Operator Narita International Airport Corp (NAA), which is often criticised for having the world's highest landing charges, says a 50% discount on fees is being offered to airlines commencing new and additional services with regional aircraft. NAA had already been offering 33% discounts and the new scheme covers services from airports other than those at Fukuoka, Osaka and Sapporo. Discounts will apply for one year starting from the month after the new services are added.
Although primarily an international airport, Narita does accept regional aircraft operating domestic flights. Domestic flights operated with larger Airbus and Boeing aircraft serve Haneda airport, much closer to the centre of Tokyo.
NAA, which is slated for partial privatisation in 2007, says it is offering the new discounts "in an effort to expand" its domestic network. "NAA believes that it needs to take further steps to improve domestic services in view of the fact that there is still some scope for additional flights," states the airport.
Using a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ regional jet as an example, NAA says the new charge per landing - not including consumption tax - will be ¥16,600 ($151), compared with the base charge of ¥33,200 and the previously discounted rate of ¥22,133.
All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and commuter carriers Fair Inc, J-Air and Nakanihon Airlines operate domestic services to and from Narita, with 16 daily flights on six routes. Before the second runway opened only two airlines operated domestic services there.
Source: Airline Business
