Strategic operations and stronger functions of local airports, which directly connect to local regions, are required as an essential factor to achieve the governmental goal of 60 million international visitors to Japan in 2030. Kyoji Kuramochi, Vice President of Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT) and former Deputy Director of Civil Aviation Bureau, said at a keynote speech of Aviation Symposium, “There are limits to the internationalization of airports and the promotion of tourism with only five or six major airports. A strategy that identifies the potential of regional airports is needed.”
Structural challenges remain
While both domestic and international flight transportations have been recovering in terms of carried passengers from the pandemic, Kuramochi pointed out that structural changes occur in the aviation industry.
The biggest challenge the industry faces is the change of earning structure of airlines. They struggle with rise in costs due to depreciation of yen particularly for the domestic flight business, and also they suffer from reduction in high-value business trips in terms of profitability.
Leisure travelers are increasing, however airlines cannot expect more earnings from them because they are sensitive to prices. Despite increase in passengers on domestic flights, it is hard for airlines to make a profit. Although international visitors to Japan are increasing, they tend to choose Shinkansen, not domestic flights, to move to local cities,
国交省・前航空局次長、現在は鉄道・運輸機構（JRTT）の副理事長を務める蔵持京治氏
Airport infrastructures are expanding
Major airports are enhancing their airport functions. Narita Airport expanded annual capacity from 300,000 aircraft movements to 340,000 aircraft movements in October 2024 and is developing the 3rd runway. Haneda Airport is trying to operate 1 million aircraft movements a year by reviewing airways to the airport.
In addition, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Naha are improving their airport functions to expand capacities.
The development of the six major airports is based on the reality that about 90% of international flight passengers in Japan use the six airports.
Kuramochi, however, emphasized, “Roles of local airports will be more important for Japan to internationalize tourism. Although many local governments are developing airport sales to foreign airlines to invite them to local airports in partnership with local economic organizations or by injecting subsidies, Kuramochi said, “It is not sustainable way.”
For foreign airlines, it is essential whether or not a local airport can practically receive international flights, including a grand handling system, a fuel supply system and CIQ. Also, Kuramochi said that good balance between inbound travel demand and outbound travel demand will be needed to maintain the route. One of the challenges for a local airport is to promote Japanese overseas travel from a local region.
It is time to manage an airport
‘Management perspective’ not only as transportation infrastructure but also an economic body to sustain local economy is required for a local airport. Under a concession contract, private airport companies try to earn from non-aviation businesses, not depending on passenger demands.
“Local airports need airport management together with local tourism promotions and economic revitalization,” Kuramochi said. “It is crucial for a local airport to improve a value as an airport and to function as a gateway to local tourism.”
“What a local government or a local airport should do first is to know what is strength of itself. They have to understand airlines’ logics to make profits and analyze local resources, demands and partnerships,” Kuramochi added.
Local airports can be a base of international tourism if they have region-based strategic airport management and marketing not only for passengers but also local residents and sustainable operation supports.
