The Japanese government has launched a new initiative aimed at boosting international flights to regional airports across the country.
The Kyodo news agency reports that Japan’s Transport Ministry is lowering landing fees for international flights at 32 regional airports, in an effort to encourage airlines to launch new direct services.
Under the initiative, landing fees will be slashed by 50% or more at state-run airports, while the Japanese central government will subsidise one-third of landing fees at airports run by local authorities. These measures will be put in place for up to three years.
Airports in Niigata, Shizuoka and Kumamoto (pictured) will be included in the scheme, which is aimed at drawing international travellers away from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Sapporo and relieving pressure on the airports in these major cities.
