Haneda Airport―The New Gateway for Asian Routes Opens October 2010!
Haneda: Japan’s Oldest and Foremost Airport
Tokyo International Airport, more commonly known as Haneda Airport, is located in Ota City, within the Tokyo metropolis, and served over 67 million travelers in 2006. In terms of passenger throughput, Haneda is the world’s fourth busiest airport, following Atlanta (84 million), Chicago (76 million) and London (67 million). Rather than being tucked away in the suburbs, Haneda Airport is a uniquely convenient airport with proximity to a major city center.Originally opened as Tokyo Airfield in 1931, Haneda Airport was renamed Tokyo International Airport in 1952, becoming Japan’s first and only official gateway to the world. When Narita International Airport, which also neighbors Tokyo, in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, was inaugurated in 1978, almost all international flights were transferred there, leaving Haneda Airport as the largest domestic airport in Japan.
Narita Airport quickly replaced Haneda Airport as Japan’s gateway to the global skies, handling over 34 million commercial flights and 2,000 tons of freight annually (figures for fiscal 2007). However, due to its proximity to surrounding towns limiting late-night flights and demonstrations delaying the construction of new runways, it has gradually became difficult for Narita Airport to meet the needs of the rapidly growing number of travelers and the ever-increasing number of international carriers and flights.
Haneda Offers Convenience and Business Opportunities
Today, Haneda Airport welcomes a new era―an era in which business is borderless and international travel is an every day activity. Haneda Airport’s fourth runway, Runway D (illustrated below), is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in October 2010. Once completed, the four runways together will provide the much-needed landing and takeoff space to better serve airlines and passengers, relaunching Haneda Airport as Japan’s gateway to East Asian countries.The estimated annual number of arrivals and departures will increase by nearly 110,000 flight slots, totaling 407,000 per year. Of this, approximately 60,000 slots will be allocated to international flights.
Haneda Airport
Unlike Narita Airport, which is closed to night flights due to agreements with local residents, flights in and out of Haneda Airport travel over the Pacific Ocean, allowing taking off and landing any time of day or night. By 2012, Haneda Airport is expected to serve 73 million domestic passengers and 7 million international passengers annually.
The following is a usage comparison of the two airports and a forecast for Haneda Airport in 2012.
| Narita (2007) | Haneda (2007) | Haneda (2012) | |
| Landings (thousands) | 97.5 | 165.9 | 232 |
| Incoming passengers | |||
| International routes (millions) | 28.0 | 1.8 | 7 |
| Domestic routes (millions) | 1.2 | 65.0 | 73 |
| Cargo (million tons) | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1 |
The addition of a fourth runway and the re-opening of Haneda Airport as an international airport will greatly contribute to the rejuvenation of the general area. Local businesses will benefit from more timely and efficient logistics by taking advantage of early morning and late night cargo shipments. Plans are already in the making for construction of new distribution facilities to meet the needs of increased logistics activities.
Tokyo metropolis is a top candidate to host the 2016 Olympics. If Tokyo receives this honor and fulfills its long-term dream, Haneda Airport will undoubtedly, and very quickly, become the new gateway to visitors from East Asia and every corner of the world!
Keeping the Environment in Mind
The current construction of Haneda Airport’s Runway D includes a world-first in construction methods.Many floating airports throughout the world utilize landfill techniques to support their runways, or employ already existing islands adding artificial land improvements. Supports for Runway D, however, consist of multiple piles that are firmly set on the ocean floor and covered with steel jackets (web-like braces). Protecting the natural environment and avoiding waste are of the utmost importance at every stage of construction, so construction plans rejected the extensive use of landfill to protect ocean currents in the area and the natural flow of the Tama River, which runs between Ota City and Kawasaki City (Kanagawa Prefecture). The unavoidable landfill at the eastern section of the runway uses surplus soil from several other construction sites. Supporting the bridge connecting Runway D and the terminal are strategically spaced columns that allow ships to navigate under the ramp.
A new 116-meter-high control tower―the world’s third tallest―is also under construction. Interestingly, the cross section of the control-tower column is not circular as would be expected, but rather the elliptical shape of a rugby ball. This unique feature takes into consideration the natural wind environment of the surrounding area and best minimizes oscillation of the tower due to strong winds.
The difficulty of providing instructions for the takeoff and landing of more than 407,000 flights a year is never taken lightly. The control tower will be equipped with the latest and most advanced equipment to carefully monitor each airplane and ensure zero errors.
Airport facilities also boast innovative features for the enjoyment of all travelers. Visitors can expect a welcoming and entertaining atmosphere―a full-fledged town within the airport, offering everything from shopping and wonderful meals to comfortable lodgings and other amenities.