Naha Airport’s second runway to open next year

Naha Airport’s second runway to open next year

The second runway at Naha Airport, photographed on Dec. 13, 2018, is still under construction.


November 26, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Tokyo, November 26—The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced this morning that the second runway under construction at Naha Airport will be operational starting March 26, 2020. A new air traffic control tower designed to accompany the addition of the second runway is also under construction, and will be operational January 15, 2020.

The existing runway at Naha Airport is becoming increasingly congested, as it currently operates over 160,000 entries and exits on a runway with a capacity of 135,000. By adding a second runway, the Japanese government has charted a path to boost Naha Airport’s capacity to 240,000.

During the post-cabinet meeting interview the same morning, Minister Kazuyoshi Akaba commented: “We anticipate Naha Airport to serve an even greater role as a connecting hub facilitating the flow of people and goods between Okinawa, other prefectures of Japan and cities abroad. We hope this will contribute to an increase in tourists and enhance convenience.” The minister has recently visited the site, and confirmed the construction work is coming along.

(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)

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