Airport News Japan

New Year’s “Hatsuhinode Flight” by Narita Airport and JAL - Circling Mt. Fuji Area and Seas around Choshi

Enlarge Image

Narita Airport's Mascot Kuutan celecbrates New Year

Narita International Airport and JAL will collaborate on operating a "Hatsuhinode Flight," the first flight from the airport after sunrise at the start of the New Year.

JAL is planning to use a Boeing 767-300 for the early morning takeoff scheduled for 6:00. The airline stated that after taking in a “commanding view of the first sunrise [in the skies over Choshi and Inubosaki] before anyone else does, and of Mt. Fuji,” the flight will return to Narita by flying over the Izu Peninsula and the island of Izu Oshima, arriving at 7:35. Passengers will have the option of joining a bus tour of the airport after the flight.

Seats were on sale for a limited two-day period from November 21 to 22 from JAL Tours. Sets of two window seat tickets were sold for a total of 40,000 yen per set, and aisle and center seats for single travelers at 10,000 yen per person. The airline reported that almost all the tickets were sold during the two-days. Passengers will be offered commemorative flight certificates, osechi meals (traditional Japanese New Year’s cuisine), and red and white manju (steamed buns filled with bean paste).

The flight is the first part of the Oasis Project started by the airport in July of this year. According to the project’s theme of “Let’s Make Narita Airport Fun!,” it aims to bring together airport staff, executives, group companies and other facilities and bodies connected to the airport, improving maintenance along with increasing the airport’s allure. Starting with the New Year’s flight, the airport has various plans starting from January 2009.

Narita International AirportJAL