New Chitose Airport
Overview
New Chitose Airport 新千歳空港 is an international airport located in Chitose and Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the largest airport in Hokkaido and serves as the gateway to the northernmost island of Japan. The airport is a hub for several airlines and offers both domestic and international flights.
History
New Chitose Airport opened in 1991, replacing the former Chitose Airport, which had been in operation since 1963. The new airport was built to accommodate the growing number of passengers and to provide more advanced facilities. The former Chitose Airport was converted into a base for the Japan Self-Defense Forces 自衛隊.
Facilities and Services
The airport has two runways and a single passenger terminal, which is divided into domestic and international sections. The terminal building is equipped with various facilities such as restaurants, shops, and car rental agencies. It also has a hotel, the New Chitose Airport Hotel, and a hot spring facility, the New Chitose Airport Onsen.
The airport is also known for its unique features such as the Doraemon Waku Waku Sky Park, a theme park based on the popular Japanese manga and anime series, Doraemon ドラえもん, and the Royce' Chocolate World, a museum and factory tour of the Hokkaido-based chocolate company, Royce' ロイズ.
Transportation
New Chitose Airport is accessible by various modes of transportation. The airport is directly connected to the JR New Chitose Airport Station, which provides access to Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido, and other major cities in the region via the JR Chitose Line and the JR Rapid Airport Line. Buses and taxis are also available at the airport.
Airlines and Destinations
New Chitose Airport serves as a hub for several airlines including Japan Airlines 日本航空, All Nippon Airways 全日本空輸, and Air Do エア・ドゥ. The airport offers flights to various destinations in Japan and other countries such as China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Future Plans
The airport authority has plans to expand the airport to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. The expansion plan includes the construction of a new terminal building and the extension of the existing runways.