Airport News Japan

ANA to Establish New Iwakuni-Haneda Route after U.S. Base Becomes Shared Civilian Airport in FY2012

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A completion image of Iwakuni Airport Terminal. Photo: Yamaguchi Pref.

On February 17, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) declared that it will open a new route connecting US Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (JMSDF Iwakuni Air Base, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture) with Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

ANA officials visited Yamaguchi Prefecture Governor Sekinari Nii and Iwakuni Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda to officially deliver the news. The airline aims to start flying four daily roundtrip flights after the base is reopened as a civilian airport in fiscal 2012. Details such as aircraft models and flight schedules will be determined after considering market demand and convenience.

After 1964, there were no civilian carriers flying commercially from Iwakuni Air Base, but in 2005 the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to allow civilian aircraft to operate four daily roundtrip flights from the base. Progress continued thereafter towards making the air base a shared civilian and military airport. In February, the Japanese government officially announced its policy to reopen the civilian airport. The process will continue with preparations for establishing a company to manage and administer the terminal building.

Official Gov’t Announcement: Iwakuni Air Base to Become Shared Civilian AirportU.S. Airlines Apply for New Routes to Haneda - 8 Airports Including New York and Honolulu1st Domestic Commercial Flights to Ibaraki Airport - Skymark to Make 1 Daily RoundtripMarine Corps Air Station IwakuniYamaguchi Prefecture