World’s best domestic airport to expand terminal next month
A new satellite facility with six boarding gates at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, known as the world’s best domestic airport, will be launched in September as demand for air travel continues to rise.
The North Satellite Facility of Terminal 1 at Haneda Airport is set to undergo a significant expansion next month, marking the first large-scale upgrade since the terminal opened in September 1993. The new facility will be a hybrid structure, utilizing steel and around 1,800 cubic meters of timber to minimize its environmental impact, according to Haneda's operator, Japan Airport Terminal.
It is also designed to enhance passenger convenience with the inclusion of a lounge, children's area, and free self-driving vehicles for navigating the terminal. The facility is expected to reduce annual energy consumption by over 30% through the use of solar panels and columns that block the setting sun, as reported by NHK.
The demand for Haneda Airport has surged, with the number of users surpassing 90 million in 2025 for the first time, driven by the Japanese government's goal to increase the number of foreign visitors to 60 million by 2030. The airport handled about 490,000 takeoffs and landings in 2025, at its current flight capacity limit. This surge in activity, coupled with previous expansion efforts, has led to increased congestion and delays, particularly in baggage transportation.
In response, Japanese airlines announced in August that they will require baggage for domestic flights to be checked in at least 30 minutes before departure, up from the previous 20 minutes, to alleviate the issue.
Kumiko Saito, an executive officer of Japan Airlines, emphasized during a pre-opening press event that passengers should anticipate needing more time to complete check-in procedures due to the increased distance from the security checkpoint. She requested the public's understanding and cooperation to ensure timely departures. Haneda Airport, established in 1931 with a single runway, has been recognized as the World's Best Domestic Airport by Skytrax for the 14th consecutive year and has held the title of the world's cleanest airport for the 11th year in a row.
The airport, which has evolved from a predominantly domestic hub to a three-terminal, four-runway international facility, has undergone extensive offshore expansion and redevelopment over the decades.
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