Airport News Japan

More Landing Slots for Int’l Flights at New Chitose Airport - Promoting Foreign Tourists and Visits to Japan

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An aircraft for a domestic flight parked at New Chitose International Airport.

The number of arrival and departure slots for international flights at New Chitose Airport in Chitose, Hokkaido will be increased starting on March 28.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) made an official announcement on the 8th of this month. Presently, on weekdays international flights are only allowed to land and take off between 11:20 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. on Tuesdays, but the available times will be expanded to 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The number of international flights that can access the airport is restricted because it is adjacent to the Air Self-Defense Force’s Chitose Air Base, but in November of last year, Transport Minister Maehara appealed directly to Defense Minister Kitazawa to relax the restrictions in order to increase the number of foreign tourists. Both ministries have now come to an agreement, and an increase in the number of arrival and departure slots has been approved starting with this year’s summer schedule.

At present, international flights may use the airport from 5:00 p.m. on Fridays and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, with no changes planned for these times.

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