On April 17, 2024, Japan and Qatar held bilateral talks about expanding air traffic rights between the two countries.
The two countries agreed to:
- Expand the list of airports in Japan where passenger flights from Qatar can operate (currently the list includes Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, Osaka Kansai, and Nagoya Chubu)
- Expand slots available for flights between Qatar and Tokyo Narita
- Expand the list of airports where cargo flights from Qatar can operate (Tokyo Narita is expected to be added to the list from March 2025)
At the meeting, Japan was represented by, among others, Yasushi Takahashi, the manager of the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau’s International Aviation Department. Qatar was represented by, among others, H.E. Mohamed Faleh Al-Hajri, the Acting President of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.
Scheduled passenger flights between the two countries currently include Qatar Airways’ daily Doha – Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai services and JAL’s daily Tokyo Haneda – Doha service. Before JAL launched flights to Doha, Qatar Airways used to serve both Haneda and Narita daily.
