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Friday, 9th October 2015
In Japan Travel News,
Japan's regional airports handling 60% more international flights
International flights arriving and departing from Japan's regional airports have increased by 60 per cent over the past five years.
This is according to data put together by the transport ministry and is likely to have been a direct result of local governments encouraging more low-cost airlines to serve their airports, as the country has welcomed increasing numbers of overseas visitors.
From March to October 2010 there were 436 weekly scheduled flights connecting regional airports to other countries, but by the same time-frame this year, the number had gone up to 692, reports The Japan Times.
The majority of the airports outside of Japan being served by such flights had already received departures from Japan, but an additional three have been added, upping the number from 23 to 26.
Flights to and from these destinations have therefore increased their frequency, offering tourists more choice in terms of travelling to Japan.
An official from the transport ministry said it was important that connections did more than just link countries to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
Japan has so many more areas of interest to international visitors than just these popular tourist destinations, with something to suit all tastes, whether it be natural beauty, bustling nightlife or delicious cuisine.
No fewer than 25 regional Japan airports have scheduled international flights, with the likes of Naha Airport in Okinawa Prefecture seeing the number of flights increase five-fold to 121.
Meanwhile New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido nearly doubled it connections to slightly over 80 in the past five years.
Being able to fly straight into regional airports from abroad is very useful for foreign visitors, as it means they do not have to travel overland to get to the part of Japan they wish to visit.
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