Overview
Along with Haneda (HND) and Ibaraki (IBR), Narita (NRT) is one of three airports serving the Greater Tokyo region; and is the main international gateway for the region, handling over 32 million passengers (30.1m International Vs 1.2m Domestic) in 2009. It is also the main cargo airport in Japan handling 1.8m tonnes in 2009. Since its opening in 1978 Narita Airport has experienced a rapid growth in passenger traffic. Narita is facing new competition from Haneda which is gaining international status and from Ibaraki opening which is located 80km away.
Catchment
Tokyo has a population of around 13 million - approximately 10% of Japan's total population. Narita Airport was originally built to deal with the increasing demand that was being placed on Haneda Airport, with no room for expansion at Haneda. Located approximately 51 km from down town Tokyo, Narita was strategically built with the view for future expansion.
Facilities
There are currently 2 terminals and 2 runways at NRT. Recent developments at the airport include over 103 billion YEN (approx. 1.1bnUSD) used to extend the current runway, renewal of JAL cargo building and new rapid railway system for full details click here. The new rail link 'skyliner' - due to open on July 17th 2010, links Narita Airport and Tokyo city centre in 36 minutes compared to the current 51 minutes travelling time between the two points.
Network
Being the International gateway to Tokyo, NRT's network is very extensive with good global coverage, particularly to the US (1.9m pax per annum) with Delta's base. It is a Hub for both JAL and ANA and used by Delta as its Asian base, which it inherited from Northwest. Though there are still many opportunities namely; Regional Chinese markets, Africa, with the only scheduled service going into Cairo (no Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines or South African Airways). The Middle East is served by all three major carriers for the region but there is no service to Oman or Saudi Arabia. In Europe there is good connectivity though notable airports not served include Budapest, Prague, Warsaw and Athens. Sao Paolo is the only South American airport served with both Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires notable absentees from the NRT - South American network.
Traffic Forecast
NRT has projected traffic increase to 34.5 million by 2012 in conjunction with the expansion in airport capacity from the completion of the 2,500 meter Runway B, and other development projects at the airport. Consequently, both aircraft and passenger traffic are forecast to post stable growth of approximately 2% from fiscal 2010 for full details click here.
Opportunities
In accordance to IATA BSP data some non-served markets at NRT include: LAS, MAD, BCN and LIM.
- LAS with 115,000 approx. O+D Pax MAR09-MAR10
- MAD - 88,000 approx. O+D Pax MAR09-MAR10
- BCN - 102,000 approx. O+D Pax MAR09-MAR10
- LIM - 60,000 approx. O+D Pax MAR09-MAR10
Long term visions
Narita Airport Corporation has outlaid a 10 year plan to "Becoming our customers' favourite airport! - A hospitable airport that can satisfy customers from around the world" using the "Seven Visions for Narita International Airport" key points - for full details click here.
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