Andrew Mollett/TOKYO
The Japanese Government may speed up plans to build a third airport for Tokyo, following the collapse of talks with land owners over the construction of a new runway at Tokyo Narita.
The government has failed to reach agreement with nine land owners to construct a second, 2,500m (8,200ft), runway parallel to Narita's 4,000m runway. The failure of the talks has brought into focus the proposed development of a new airport on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay. Survey work on the site has started and construction is expected to begin in fiscal year 2002, subject to funding.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Ministry of Transport (MoT) has ruled that the new third airport will cater for international as well as domestic flights, a reversal of its plan to serve domestic carriers only.
"[Tokyo] Haneda and New Tokyo International Airport [Narita] may lack the capacity to handle projected increases in international air traffic over the next few years. The planned second runway at New Tokyo has been delayed by land owner opposition," says the MoT. It adds that, although it is studying the proposed development of a third airport, "we are a long way from confirming the project and funding for it".
Source: Flight International
