Japan plans to expand Haneda's international flights

[Justin L]

Great news for Haneda. The reintroduction and increase in international flights from there certainly makes things more convenient for Tokyo residents. I wonder if the European services will be charter like the Asian services, or regular flights? They may have to look at better transport to the international terminal there in the future, instead of the shuttle from the train and monorail serviced domestic terminals.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/japa...182851146.html

Japan plans to expand Haneda's international flights
May 21, 2008 - 11:58AM

Japan reportedly plans to increase international flights from Haneda airport in Tokyo by first allowing direct flights to Europe in the near future.

Japanese Transport Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba announced the proposal at a key government panel, chaired by Prime Minister Yasuo ***uda, saying the expanded role of Haneda should help the growth of Japan, according to Jiji Press.

Haneda currently mostly serves domestic flights and short-haul services to other Asian cities.

The government has designated Narita Airport outside Tokyo as Japan's main international airport, and forcibly purchased properties from farmers in the Narita area despite strong and sometimes violent public opposition.

When the authorities first began trying to buy up land to build Narita more than 30 years ago, many farmers physically fought back in a movement that was later joined by leftist students and activists staging violent protests.

The government's plan to expand the role of Haneda could trigger anger among Narita residents who gave up their ancestral land and are forced to live with constant noise pollution.

Haneda airport sits on reclaimed land, and new construction technology has allowed its expansion.

Fuyushiba said Japan should double the annual number of regular international flights to and from Haneda airport to 60,000 with a new runway slated to become operational in the autumn of 2010, Kyodo News reported.

The transport ministry would report to the panel more details of the plan by this autumn, it said.

AFP

[Montague S]

Haneda has a few asian carriers serving, Asiana, Korean & Shanghai airlines are three that come to mind which aren't charters.