insights from frontier Japan

A cleaning robot equipped with artificial intelligence was introduced in south Hokkaido's Hakodate Airport in January, where it has taken over some of the cleaning work. Amidst an increase in disinfecting work due to novel coronavirus spreading, this robot has been successful in decreasing strain on human employees.

Hokkaido Airports (HAP, Chitose) plans to commence airport facility renovation designed to improve user convenience in 2021.

A Hokkaido Air System (HAC, Sapporo) SAAB 340B (36-seater) propeller aircraft was retired from service on December 29 last year, and an event to commemorate the final flight was held at Hakodate Airport.

Last year on December 24, low-cost carrier (LCC) Peach Aviation (Osaka Prefecture) commenced a New Chitose – Chubu flight that links New Chitose Airport and Central Japan International Airport (Aichi Prefecture). The flight is available daily, with two round trips per day.

As of December 21, last year, it became possible for New Chitose Airport to accept the arrival of passenger flights from China and Korea. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism judged Covid-19 virus quarantine preparations to be ready but, as use by tourists is not allowed, as of the 21st, no airlines had plans to resume services.

A ‘Family Runway Walk’ event was held for the first time, on November 1, on the normally out-of-bounds runway of Asahikawa Airport in northern Hokkaido.

Hokkaido Air System (HAC) regular flights connecting Memanbetsu Airport in eastern Hokkaido and Okadama Airport (Sapporo City) resumed after eight years on October 27.

Services on low-cost carrier Peach Aviation’s New Chitose–Naha route began on October 25.

The first charter flight this season by Fuji Dream Airlines arrived at Wakkanai Airport on September 12.

On August 31, low-cost carrier (LCC) Peach Aviation (Osaka Prefecture) announced a New Chitose-Naha flight with an October 25 launch date.