Hokkaido Airports, the operator of seven airports in Hokkaido, plans to offer discount on landing fees to foreign airlines that arrive at its airports with enough fuel for their return flight, The Hokkaido Shimbun reported on July 10, 2024.
The company is considering the measure to alleviate issues with fuel shortages that have not only been affecting airports under its management but also other airports in Japan including Hiroshima and Tokyo Narita.
According to reports, Korean Air and T’Way planned offering flights to Obihiro this summer but scrapped them due to their inability to secure fuel at the airport. Qantas also postponed its plans to postpone seasonal flights between Sydney and Sapporo New Chitose due to similar issues.
Airports run by Hokkaido Airports include Asahikawa, Hakodate, Kushiro, Memanbetsu, Obihiro, Sapporo New Chitose, and Wakkanai. Three of those including the region’s largest airport, New Chitose, and Hakodate and Asahikawa are currently served by international flights.
