Air Transport

Tokyo Narita airport today opened the extension to its second runway.

The runway has been extended to 2,500m (8,200ft) from 2,180m, says a Tokyo Narita airport spokesman, adding that this means the airport now has 20% more landing slots.

Previously the second runway was unable to handle larger aircraft such as the Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-300 or Boeing MD-11, says the spokesman.

Now the runway can handle large commercial aircraft with the exception of the Airbus A380, he adds.

Tokyo Narita had wanted to extended the second runway years ago but was unable to, because of strong opposition from local land owners.