Tokyo Narita International Airport

Tokyo Narita International Airport
Name	Tokyo Narita International Airport
IATA	NRT
ICAO	RJAA
Owner	Narita International Airport Corporation
City-served	Greater Tokyo Area
Location	Narita, Chiba
Opened	20 May 1978
Hub	* All Nippon Airways * Japan Airlines * Nippon Cargo Airlines
Metric-elev	43
Coordinates	35, 45, 55, N...
Website	https://www.naa.jp/

Tokyo Narita International Airport. It is the primary international aviation gateway for the Greater Tokyo Area and one of the two major airports serving the capital, alongside Haneda Airport. Operated by the Narita International Airport Corporation, the facility is situated in the city of Narita, Chiba, approximately 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo. Since its opening in 1978, it has developed into a major hub for All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Nippon Cargo Airlines, handling a significant portion of Japan's international passenger and air cargo traffic.

History

The airport's development was part of a national strategy to relieve congestion at the then-overburdened Haneda Airport, with construction beginning in the 1970s amidst significant local opposition and protests known as the Narita Struggle. It officially opened on 20 May 1978, with initial operations severely limited by ongoing demonstrations. Early international carriers included Pan American World Airways and Trans World Airlines, connecting Japan to destinations like New York City and Los Angeles. Over the decades, expansions included the opening of Terminal 2 in 1992 and a second runway in 2002, with further enhancements made ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics. The airport's operator was privatized in 2013, forming the current Narita International Airport Corporation.

Facilities

The airport features three main passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 serving Star Alliance members like All Nippon Airways and United Airlines, and Terminal 2 used by Japan Airlines and other Oneworld and SkyTeam partners. A dedicated Terminal 3 opened in 2015 primarily for low-cost carriers such as Jetstar Japan and Spring Airlines. Its two parallel runways can accommodate the largest aircraft, including the Airbus A380 operated by airlines like Emirates. Cargo facilities are extensive, managed by entities like Nippon Cargo Airlines and DHL Aviation, supporting its role as a key logistics hub in Asia. Amenities include numerous lounges, hotels like the Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport, and observation decks.

Airlines and destinations

As a global hub, it hosts over 70 airlines connecting to more than 130 cities worldwide. Major Japanese carriers All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines operate extensive international networks to cities such as London Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport. Key foreign carriers include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, and Korean Air. The airport is a critical cargo base for Nippon Cargo Airlines, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines, with significant freight routes to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and Memphis International Airport. Low-cost carrier operations have grown substantially, led by Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, and Vanilla Air.

Ground transportation

Multiple rail services provide high-speed access to central Tokyo, most notably the Narita Express operated by East Japan Railway Company and the Keisei Skyliner from Keisei Electric Railway. The airport is also connected to the Tokyo Metro network via transfers at stations like Nippori Station and Ueno Station. Expressway links, including the Higashi-Kantō Expressway and Ken-Ō Expressway, facilitate bus and taxi travel, with long-distance highway buses serving major hubs like Tokyo Station and Yokohama Station. Local Chiba prefecture buses connect to surrounding areas, including Chiba City and Sakura, Chiba.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record since its opening, with no fatal accidents involving commercial flights within its perimeter. A significant security incident occurred in 1985 when a Japan Airlines flight, Japan Airlines Flight 351, was hijacked by members of the Japanese Red Army shortly after departure; the aircraft landed safely at Haneda Airport. In 1999, a China Airlines cargo flight, China Airlines Flight 642, crashed during a typhoon at Hong Kong International Airport, though it had originated from here. The most notable incident in the vicinity was the 1982 crash of Japan Airlines Flight 350, which ditched in Tokyo Bay shortly after takeoff from Haneda Airport.

Statistics

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was among the world's busiest airports, handling over 44 million passengers and approximately 2.3 million tons of air cargo annually. It consistently ranks as the second-busiest airport in Japan by passenger count, after Haneda Airport, but leads in international cargo volume. Top international routes have traditionally included Seoul Incheon International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The airport is a major employer in Chiba Prefecture and a significant economic engine for the Kantō region, contributing to tourism, trade, and logistics industries.

Category:Airports in Japan Category:Buildings and structures in Chiba Prefecture Category:1978 establishments in Japan