Japan: Narita and Haneda set for large-scale capacity boost ahead of 2020 Olympics

The Tokyo area’s two international gateways are looking to push Japan’s soaring tourist numbers even higher while also putting their Asian rivals on notice by adding more international flights ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics. Japan’s biggest airport, Haneda, is set to add 50 international routes per day as, starting in late March, the government for the first time will allow aircraft to fly over central Tokyo during the day. That would raise the number of international passengers at Haneda — officially known as Tokyo International Airport — by 7m to reach 25m per year, allowing the hub to leapfrog Kansai International Airport as the nation’s second-busiest in terms of international passenger traffic after Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture. With the additional flights, the number of international passengers at the two giant airports serving the greater Tokyo area would rise to 57m per year, putting it closer to rival Asian hubs Singapore (62m), Seoul (66m) and Hong Kong (72m). “In terms of attracting foreign companies and improving the convenience of airports, Singapore airport is the model that Japanese airports have to emulate,” said aviation analyst Kotaro Toriumi. “That’s why they are beefing up international flights at Haneda. Transit passengers from abroad will also be able to easily enjoy tours in Tokyo for a day or half a day, since it takes more time to get to the heart of Tokyo from Narita.” Amid signs of improving relations with China, highlighted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s first state visit as president to Japan next spring, Narita Airport emerged as an unexpected beneficiary last month when Beijing and Tokyo agreed to scrap a cap on landing slots at Chinese airports. Narita is hoping to secure a significant boost in the number of flights to Shanghai and Beijing.<br/>