Airliner World — September 2017

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C

hubu, which lies
between the Kanto and
Kansai regions of Japan,
is not only a beautiful
part of the main island of
Honshu – Mount Fuji is located here –
it is also a major industrial and
manufacturing centre, particularly for
automotive and machinery companies.
Many of Japan ́s major corporations,
including Toyota and Mitsubishi, have
their headquarters or large factories in
or around Nagoya. For decades, the
city’s airport, originally named Nagoya,

also known today as Komaki, suc-

cessfully served the region ́s aviation

requirements. The airports in Tokyo

and Osaka have traditionally been the

nation’s two main gateways, and even

before the new facility was opened,

Nagoya was, and will continue to be,

a relief site. However, expansion at

both has meant they now have plenty

of capacity.

As the region developed, it became

obvious that the old airport wouldn’t

be able to cope with the increasing

demand prompting the local

government to invest in a larger,

modern facility. Initial plans were

submitted, which included build-

ing the facility on an artificial island

off the coast. Construction of the

JPY768bn ($7.3bn) project started in

August 2000 and work was completed

four years later. It was officially opened

on February 17, 2005 when a Japan

Airlines’ Boeing 767 landed on Runway

18/36 – 11,483 x 197ft (3,500 x 60m) –

for the first time.

The city’s International Air Transport

Association’s (IATA) ‘NGO’ code was

A view across the

domestic apron at

Centrair. The country's

two biggest carriers,

Japan Airlines and All

Nippon Airways (ANA)

are well represented

with numerous

daily services to

and from Nagoya.

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