Shrinking traffic troubles Tokyo's Narita Airport

[TOKYO] As Haneda Airport continues to boost the number of takeoff and landing slots for international flights, a deepening sense of alarm is emerging at Narita Airport.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has started a new flight linking Haneda and London, and suspended its existing route between Narita and London to compensate. Thanks to moves like these, the number of weekly takeoffs and landings at Narita Airport has decreased by 63.

Furthermore, while the number of annual takeoff and landing slots for international and domestic flights at Narita Airport stands at 270,000, only about 210,000 of the slots are used - about 180,000 for international flights and about 30,000 for domestic flights. This is because the airport is located far from central Tokyo, and because the facilities are unable to operate around the clock.