Tokyo's Dual Airport System: Why Two Airports?

why does tokyo have 2 airports

Tokyo is served by two major airports: Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT). Haneda Airport, located in Ōta, Tokyo, is about 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) south of Tokyo Station and is known for its convenient access to the city centre. Narita International Airport, on the other hand, is situated in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of Tokyo. While Haneda has traditionally been the primary airport for domestic flights, Narita has been the preferred choice for international travel due to its larger capacity. However, in recent years, the distinction between the two airports has blurred as Haneda has increased its international flight offerings, and Narita has attracted more domestic carriers.

Characteristics Values
Names of the airports Haneda Airport (HND), Narita International Airport (NRT)
Location Haneda is located in Ōta, Tokyo, 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) south of Tokyo Station. Narita is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometers east of Tokyo.
Year of opening Haneda: 1931. Narita: 1978
Number of runways Haneda: 1. Narita: 3
Accessibility Haneda: accessible by limousine bus, Keikyu train line, or monorail. Narita: accessible by JR express trains or Keisei express trains ("Skyliners") in about 50 minutes.
Purpose Haneda: initially built for domestic flights, now also serves international flights. Narita: constructed to meet the increasing demand for international flights.
Passenger traffic Haneda: 87 million+ (2019). Narita: 42 million (2019)
Noise restrictions Narita: subject to a six-hour curfew between midnight and 6:00 AM to reduce noise pollution

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Haneda Airport is located within Tokyo, so transportation is quicker

Tokyo has two major airports: Haneda Airport HND and Narita International Airport NRT. Haneda Airport is located within Tokyo, in the densely populated Ōta City, while Narita International Airport is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of Tokyo. Haneda Airport's location within the city means that transportation to and from the airport is generally quicker and more convenient for those travelling to and from central Tokyo.

Haneda Airport is about 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) south of Tokyo Station, and it takes less than 30 minutes to get to the airport from the city centre by limousine bus, Keikyu train line, or monorail. By comparison, Narita International Airport is less conveniently located for those travelling to and from central Tokyo, and it takes about 50 minutes to travel between the airport and Tokyo Station by JR (Japan Railway) express train or Keisei express train. A new high-speed railway, currently under construction, will reduce travel time between Narita International Airport and Tokyo Station to 36 minutes.

The accessibility of Haneda Airport has made it attractive to airlines, with several carriers moving services from Narita International Airport to Haneda Airport in recent years. Haneda Airport is also the busier of the two airports, handling over 87 million passengers in 2019 compared to 42 million at Narita International Airport. However, Narita International Airport remains an important hub, serving most intercontinental services and major international airlines.

Despite the expansion of Haneda Airport, Tokyo continues to require both airports due to the large volume of yearly traffic the city experiences. Narita International Airport also complements Haneda Airport by providing additional capacity for international flights and room for further development.

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Narita Airport is located outside of Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture

Tokyo, Japan's capital, has two major airports: Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita Airport (NRT). Narita Airport is located in the city of Narita in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometres east of central Tokyo. Narita is known for its international flight services, while Haneda Airport, located in the heart of Tokyo, is more popular for domestic flights. Narita is a small but bustling city with a diverse collection of rich history, culture, nature, and authentic Japanese food. Narita City is much more than just a transportation hub, offering visitors a glimpse into Japan's Edo-period past.

The Narita area boasts several attractions, including the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a large temple complex founded in the 10th century, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The temple is a must-see attraction, featuring a park spanning 165,000 square meters, complete with three ponds and vibrant trees and flowers. Narita City also includes museums, a spa resort, AEON Mall Narita, and Shisui Premium Outlets, making it an ideal starting point for visitors exploring Japan.

The Narita Anime Deck, with its Sanrio Characters collaboration cafe, and the nearby Hotel MyStays Premier Narita, which offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport, are other notable attractions in the area. Narita International Airport itself is a modern and convenient gateway to Japan, featuring a range of souvenir shops and restaurants serving traditional Japanese cuisine.

The construction of Narita Airport began in 1966, and it was completed in 1978, becoming Tokyo's second major airport. The airport is subject to a six-hour curfew between midnight and 6:00 to minimise noise pollution for local residents. Despite some challenges with expansion and capacity, Narita Airport remains a vital hub for international travel to and from Tokyo, handling over 42 million passengers in 2019.

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Narita is the larger airport, with four runways

Tokyo has two major airports: Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita Airport (NRT). Before 1978, Tokyo only had one airport, known as Tokyo International Airport, which is now Haneda Airport. Haneda Airport is located in the densely populated Ōta City, in the heart of Tokyo. As jet aircraft became more common, the airport began to suffer capacity and noise issues.

The Japanese transport ministry commissioned a study of alternate airport locations in 1963, and in 1965 selected a plan to build a five-runway airport in the village of Tomisato. The site was later moved 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast to the villages of Sanrizuka and Shibayama, and construction began in 1966. Narita Airport was completed in 1978, becoming Tokyo's second major airport.

Narita Airport is the larger airport, with four runways. The airport originally had plans for five runways, but only three were constructed due to the threat of protests from local residents. In 2020, an expansion plan was approved to build a fourth runway on the east side of the airport, with completion expected by 2028. The airport is also planning to consolidate its three existing terminals into a single facility called "One Terminal".

Narita Airport is located about 60 km (37 mi) east of central Tokyo in Narita, Chiba. It is the busiest airport in Japan by international passenger and international cargo traffic, handling just over 42 million passengers in 2019. Narita is subject to a six-hour curfew between midnight and 6:00 AM to reduce the impact of noise pollution on local residents.

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Haneda is the busier airport, with more flights and passengers

Haneda Airport is located within Tokyo prefecture, so transportation to the city centre can take as little as 30 minutes. Haneda is also closer to Shinagawa Station, providing more convenient access. As a result, Haneda is the busier airport, with more flights and passengers.

Before 1978, Haneda was the only airport in Tokyo. It opened in 1931 as an airfield, becoming an international airport in 1952. Haneda is located in the densely populated Ōta City, in the heart of Tokyo. While Narita took over almost all international services in 1978, Haneda remained a key regional and domestic airport, with a significant presence of JAL, ANA, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines.

In recent years, however, Haneda has attracted more international airlines. Delta, for example, moved all its Tokyo-bound flights to Haneda, and local carriers such as JAL and ANA started new flights from Haneda to the US. Haneda's new terminal and location, along with slot availability, have made it an attractive option for airlines.

In 2019, Narita handled just over 42 million passengers, while Haneda exceeded 87 million. Narita is located about 60-70 kilometres outside of Tokyo, making it less convenient to access. Narita is also subject to a six-hour curfew between midnight and 6:00 to reduce noise pollution.

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Narita has a six-hour curfew at night to reduce noise pollution

Tokyo has two major airports, Haneda and Narita, which attract flights from various airlines around the world. Haneda Airport is located within the Tokyo prefecture, whereas Narita Airport is located in the Chiba prefecture, which is outside Tokyo. Haneda is known as the primary airport for domestic flights, while Narita is the preferred airport for international flights.

Narita Airport has a six-hour curfew between midnight and 06:00 to reduce noise pollution for local residents. The airport is located close to inhabited areas, and the curfew ensures that residents are not disturbed by aircraft noise during the night. Narita has been facing intense competition from Haneda Airport, which has been increasing its international flights. However, Narita has also been dealing with capacity issues and has had to implement measures to enhance its capacity and promote coexistence with the communities around the airport.

The construction of Narita Airport faced opposition, and it was understood that no planes should fly over the airport late at night. The airport has a limited number of runways due to the threat of protests, which has resulted in capacity issues. Narita has had to reach agreements with the local community on the number of flights allowed per year and operate within that frame.

To address noise concerns, Narita Airport has agreed to install internal windows in the homes of residents affected by aircraft noise. These windows are expected to reduce noise by 35-40dB when combined with existing noise reduction efforts. Narita Airport also has some flexibility regarding its curfew, allowing take-off and landing between 23:00 and 24:00 if delays are outside the control of the airline company.

Frequently asked questions

Tokyo is a large city with a high population density and sees a large amount of yearly traffic, so it requires two major airports to meet the demand.

The two airports in Tokyo are Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND).

Narita International Airport is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometres east of Tokyo. Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, is located in Ōta, Tokyo.

While Narita was initially constructed to meet the increasing demand for international flights, Haneda has been increasing its international flights in recent years. Both airports now attract flights from various international airlines.

You can take a train or a bus to travel between Narita and Haneda, but taking a taxi is the fastest way, as it only takes about one hour each way.

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