Narita Airport Marks 35th Anniversary

Narita, Chiba Pref., May 20 (Jiji Press)--Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, marked the 35th anniversary of its opening on Monday. The number of annual landing and takeoff slots at the airport was raised to 270,000 in March, up 40 pct from 10 years ago, following an extension of its Runway B and an agreement with local people. Work is under way to raise the number further to 300,000 in March 2015. Thanks to open skies aviation liberalization agreements Japan has reached with other countries, more airlines, including low-cost carriers, are expected to start using Narita and the number of flights is seen rising as a result. An open skies pact allows carriers to freely set their routes and the number of flights. But some existing Narita-based flights may be transferred to Tokyo International Airport at Haneda, where slots for international flights will be increased in March next year. Meanwhile, rival airports in other parts of Asia have strengthened their functions with strong state backing, in a bid to attract more airlines and travelers. Under the circumstances, it is unclear whether Narita can continue expanding its operations, analysts say. "Now is the true start" for the airport, Makoto Natsume, president of Narita International Airport Corp., said at a party to mark the 35th anniversary, held in the city of Narita on Monday afternoon. Narita "will aim to establish a solid position as a hub airport in East Asia," Natsume said, stressing that the open skies liberalization, which opens a new era where airports are chosen by airlines, will be a great opportunity. END