Private operator Mitsubishi Estate, which manages 10 airports in Japan, was a first-time exhibitor at Routes Asia. “Now is the time for the recovery of Japanese inbound tourism,” said Masaru Watabe, General Manager, Airport Business Department at Mitsubishi Estate Co Ltd.
Talking at its stand, adorned with a huge poster of the imposing Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan and located on the island of Honshū, Mitsubishi Estate was urgently targeting the return of Chinese airlines. Prior to the pandemic, Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport boasted nine destinations in China, but only has one today, said Watabe.
Chinese carriers have prioritised Japan’s major hubs at Narita and Haneda for the resumption of service. Mitsubishi wants them to look at the opportunities of serving regional gateways at Mt Fuji, Takamatsu and Miyako Shimojishima airports.
International traffic has been slow to return. Mt Fuji, for instance, handled 500,000 passengers in 2023, 80% of its 2019 level, but some 80% of those were domestic travellers.
In addition to targeting Chinese traffic, Mitsubishi is focused on increasing services to Singapore and Thailand, said Watabe.
