New Chitose Airport

New Chitose Airport
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Name	New Chitose Airport
IATA	CTS
ICAO	RJCC
Owner	Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Operator	Hokkaido Airports
City-served	Sapporo
Location	Chitose and Tomakomai
Opened	20 July 1988
Hub	Air Do, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways
Metric-elev	25
Coordinates	42, 46, 31, N...
Website	https://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/en/

New Chitose Airport is the primary international gateway and busiest aviation facility serving the Hokkaido region of Japan. Located in the cities of Chitose and Tomakomai, it functions as a major hub for both domestic and international travel, significantly replacing the older Okadama Airport for commercial traffic. Operated by Hokkaido Airports under the supervision of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the airport is a critical economic engine for Sapporo and the wider island, featuring extensive passenger facilities, cargo operations, and connectivity to high-speed rail.

History

Planning for a new regional airport commenced in the 1970s to alleviate congestion at Okadama Airport and support the growing tourism industry spurred by events like the 1972 Winter Olympics. Construction began in the early 1980s on a site used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, with the facility officially opening on July 20, 1988. Its inauguration coincided with increased economic activity following the Plaza Accord and a boom in travel to Hokkaido. Major expansions followed, including the opening of an international terminal in 1996 and a second runway in 1999, preparing for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Further development integrated the terminal with the Hokkaido Shinkansen station in 2023, enhancing multimodal transport links.

Facilities

The airport features two passenger terminals: the Domestic Terminal, which is one of the largest in Japan, and the International Terminal. The Domestic Terminal houses extensive shopping and dining concourses, including the popular Rera Chitose Outlet Mall. Both terminals are directly connected to the JR Hokkaido railway station. The airfield operates with two parallel runways capable of handling wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, alongside dedicated cargo facilities used by operators such as Nippon Cargo Airlines. The site also hosts maintenance bases for Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, and shares its grounds with adjacent Chitose Air Base, operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Airlines and destinations

As a primary hub, it is a key operational base for Air Do, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways, offering frequent services to major Japanese cities including Tokyo Haneda, Narita International Airport, Osaka Itami, and Kansai International Airport. International carriers provide direct flights to destinations across East Asia and the Pacific Rim, such as Seoul Incheon, Taipei Taoyuan, Hong Kong International Airport, and Honolulu International Airport. Seasonal charter flights are common, particularly to cities in Thailand, Vietnam, and Guam, catering to the robust tourism market.

Ground transportation

The airport is a major transport interchange, primarily via the JR Hokkaido Rapid Airport train service which provides a direct link to Sapporo Station in approximately 37 minutes. The opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension in 2023 connected the airport to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station and the national Tōhoku Shinkansen network. Multiple highway bus services, operated by companies like Hokuto Kotsu and Chuo Bus, connect to destinations across Hokkaido, including Otaru, Furano, and Niseko. Taxi stands and rental car services from providers like Toyota Rent a Car and Nippon Rent-A-Car are also extensively available.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record since its opening. A notable incident occurred on March 5, 2001, when a McDonnell Douglas MD-81 operated by Japan Air System (later merged into Japan Airlines) experienced a tail strike upon landing, resulting in minor injuries but no fatalities. The event prompted reviews of landing procedures. The surrounding airspace and procedures are coordinated with the adjacent Chitose Air Base to ensure safe operations for both military and civilian traffic, under the oversight of the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.

Statistics

It is the busiest airport in Hokkaido and consistently ranks among the top five in Japan for passenger traffic. Annual passenger numbers typically exceed 20 million, with a significant portion comprising domestic travelers. The busiest domestic route is to Tokyo Haneda, while the top international destinations include Seoul and Taipei. Cargo throughput is substantial, facilitated by integrators like DHL Aviation and scheduled freighter services. The facility plays a vital role in the logistics chain for Hokkaido's agricultural and seafood exports.