Tokyo Haneda International Airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) facility has reopened after a hiatus of more than three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
T2 was solely a domestic flight hub until March 29, 2020 when its use was expanded to include international flights to accommodate more flights in and out of Japan as well as to improve transit between international and domestic flights. Less than two weeks later, however, on April 11, its international lobbies were shuttered in response to the growing coronavirus outbreak and resultant drop in global travel.
Now, T2 will be capable of handling up to 30 international departures per day.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) welcomed the reopening, noting that it will ease the strain on Terminal 3 (T3) – which handles only international flights – amid Japan’s rapid inbound tourism recovery and during the busy summer vacation season. ANA’s international flights to and from T3 alone are expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of July.
ANA will initially operate five flights a day from T2 to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei and London between 0.500 and 13.00. The airline plans to increase the number of flights at the terminal at the end of 2023 while continuing to operate international flights from T3.
Speaking of the reopening, ANA president Shinichi Inoue said: “We have finally resumed operations (at T2) as we are moving out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Recovery of demand for international flights is clear and the facility will play a key role in Japan’s economic recovery.”
ANA staff servicing the first departure from T2 on July 19 held celebratory banners and greeted about 800 passengers as they departed for Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei and London on five flights.
Japan Airlines will continue operating international flights from T3.
