Hub to make Japan's air industry competitive deserves consideration
(From The Japan Times Oct. 26 issue)

羽田ハブ化議論で高める業界の競争力

Transport minister Seiji Maehara's idea of turning Tokyo's Haneda airport into a 24-hour international hub has sparked controversy. Setting his eye on the completion of Haneda's fourth runway in October 2010, he wants to make Haneda a hub in East Asia by increasing the number of international flights there.

Since Narita airport opened in 1978, the long-standing aviation policy has been to route most international flights bound for Tokyo to Narita and most domestic flights to Haneda. Mr. Maehara's idea departs from this policy. (Meanwhile, full operational use of Narita's extended second runway started Oct. 22.)

His airing the idea without consulting the parties concerned has caused sharp reactions from people and local governments associated with Narita and other airports in Japan. Still, his idea points to a new direction in the nation's aviation policy and deserves serious public discussion.

Japan has lagged behind in developing an open-sky policy that would allow airlines to freely choose air routes and number of flights. While Japan has about 100 local airports, most are operating in the red. Under political pressure, domestic airlines have been forced to operate flights on money-losing routes.

Mr. Maehara hopes to improve the competitiveness of Japan's aviation industry. His perception is that Incheon International Airport in Seoul has become the de facto hub airport for Japan. Incheon, opened eight years ago, has three runways and handles only international flights. South Korean airlines operate flights between Incheon and 27 Japanese cities.

When Haneda's fourth runway is completed, the number of takeoffs and landings will be capable of rising to 407,000 a year, up some 110,000 from now. A current plan is to increase the number of international flights at Haneda to 30,000.

Given environmental problems and limited air space, it would not be realistic to make Haneda a single international hub. In summer 2010, a railway linking Haneda and Narita in 36 minutes in the shortest time will be completed. Serious attention should be paid to operating the two airports in an integrated manner.

前原国交相による羽田空港の24時間国際空港化発言は大きな波紋を呼んだ。来年10月の4本目の滑走路完成を機に、羽田の国際線の発着数を増やし東アジアのハブ空港とする考えだ。この見解は、新たな航空政策の方向性として、公開議論がなされるべきだ。

航空会社が路線や便数を設定する航空自由化に日本は立ち遅れており、100近い地方空港の大半が赤字。

前原大臣は日本の航空業界の競争力を高めようとしている。韓国の仁川空港が事実上、日本へのハブ空港になっているとの見方だ。

環境や空域の問題で、羽田を唯一のハブ空港にするのは無理だ。来夏は羽田—成田間の高速列車が完成、両空港の一体運用に注目すべきだ。