insights from frontier Japan

The ‘Airport Limousine Carriage,’ a horse-drawn carriage ride from Tokachi Obihiro Airport, on which to enjoy the rural scenery of the Tokachi region of eastern Hokkaido, was operated on a trial basis for the first time on November 21. The participants enjoyed the carriage ride while experiencing the equine culture that played a role in Tokachi’s development.

The three-party team-up of the Hokkaido government, AIRDO, and the Nintendo partner company "Pokémon" (Tokyo) announced on November 8 that starting on December 1 for flights between New Chitose and Haneda, etc., AIRDO will be using a special decorated Boeing 767 (270 seats) with a theme based on characters from the popular game "Pocket Monsters".

To commemorate the milestone of 70 years since commercial aircraft service resumed between Haneda and Chitose after WWII, on October 26 Chitose City spearheaded a sightseeing flight service taking off from and landing at the runway of the old Chitose airfield that predates the modern New Chitose Airport. The day was temporarily beset by poor sky conditions including heavy rainfall, but the approximately 40-minute commemoration flight proved to be immense fun for the 93 Chitose parents, children, and other passengers who won the invite drawing, and who had been looking forward to the opportunity.

Memanbetsu Airport is the Okhotsk doorway to the sky. Compared to 30 years ago, the runway has grown 500 meters to a total of 2,500 meters, a length that facilitates even jumbo jets. A taxiway has also been added, making takeoffs and landings smooth. Additionally, the airport building has also undergone two extensions during that time.

Major Scandinavian airline, Finnair has agreed on the principle of resuming regular passenger flights on the New Chitose–Helsinki, Finland route next spring, provided that Japan's border measures – such as quarantining at home when entering Japan – will be relaxed in future. Flights on international routes in and out of Hokkaido have been suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic since April last year, and this is the first time moves to resume regular flights have been revealed.

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.’s Airbus A380 (520 seats), the world’s largest double-decker passenger aircraft took-off and landed at New Chitose Airport for the first time on September 19, during a sightseeing flight. The livery of the aircraft, which is approx. 73 m long and 80 m wide, is designed in the image of a sea turtle, and is known fondly as ‘Flying Honu’ (flying sea turtle). Approximately 370 passengers enjoyed the one-and-a-half-hour flight over Hokkaido, while many aircraft enthusiasts gathered at the airport to see it.

On July 18, All Nippon Airways (ANA) started seasonal service (July – September) for an Asahikawa – Haneda flight. This is the first service for that flight in 18 years.

Services on the low-cost carrier (LCC) Peach Aviation’s Memanbetsu–Kansai route began on July 1.

Operation of All Nippon Airways chartered air cargo flights to exclusively transport Yubari melons produced in the city of Yubari in central Hokkaido, from New Chitose to Haneda began on June 14. The flights, which operate once a day, 4 days a week from Monday to Thursday, will continue until early August.

In commemoration of 60 years since its opening, on April 25 Southern Hokkaido's Hakodate Airport held an event called "Parent and Child Adventure! Runway Walk at Hakodate Airport". A total of 38 parents and children from areas including the city of Hakodate participated. They strolled along the runway, an area that is normally closed to the public, and experienced the amazing size of that area firsthand.