A strong rise in DF&TR sales is expected at Haneda Airport Tokyo International Air Terminal (TIAT) following the March 30 terminal extension opening.

 

The extension in Tokyo’s downtown airport houses four new duty free shops with more outlets and boutiques planned to open this summer in both the extension and the main terminal areas.

 

Duty free revenue growth is expected to reflect the sharp rise in passenger numbers expected in 2014, due to the 50% increase in takeoff and landing slots for international flights, which comes into effect with the launch of the summer flight schedule.

 

In addition to expanding duty free, F&B and other passenger facilities, the TIAT terminal extension project has involved building eight new flight gates to make a grand total of 18 from 10 previously. These will handle the growing number of international flights planned in future.

 

According to Hideki Hayashi, Vice President for Sales and Marketing at TIAT, passenger numbers and duty free sales have already grown since Chinese New Year at the end of January.

 

 

Hideki Hayashi, Vice President for Sales and Marketing at TIAT.

 

 

BUSINESS IS ‘FANTASTIC…’

“Our duty free business is growing; it’s fantastic,” commented Hayashi, talking exclusively to TRBusiness. “Japanese travellers and Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Southeast Asian visitors are using TIAT.

 

“Foreign visitors have been enjoying skiing and the snow in Japan. Now they are enjoying cherry blossom season. One reason they are coming is that the yen is weak; Japan is cheap. Also, we have a 50% increase in international flights since March 30 and the start of the summer season international flight schedule.

 

“The extra flights are to Asia and long-haul flights mainly to Europe.”

 

The TIAT extension scheme includes 76,500sq m of new floor space, which has increased the terminal’s total floor area to 235,500sq m. Interior renovation work in the existing terminal, where it joins with the new terminal extension to form a T-shape building, still continues and is due for completion later this year in September.

 

Passport control and security facilities have been expanded to handle the additional passengers expected to use the enlarged terminal, while two new check-in counter islands are being installed to process the growing number of departure passengers.

 

 

THREE NEW DUTY FREE SHOPS

Three new duty free shops have opened in the extension area, totalling around 300sq m combined. TIAT has appointed ANA Duty Free to operate the new Japanese cosmetics speciality shop, according to Hiyashi, while Jatco is operating the new Uniglo fashion shop for TIAT, after Uniglo operated a pop-up shop in the main terminal area last year.

 

The other new extension shop is Okashi Kobo, selling Japanese food and confectionery.

 

Several shops in TIAT’s airside departure shopping concourse – close to the new extension entrance – have been moved to new sites in the terminal extension to allow other passenger facilities, including a second passport control area, to be built in the vacated areas.

 

Hayashi noted that the FaSoLa Akihabara North Wing shop selling Japanese electronic goods, confectionery and souvenirs has moved to a new 300sq m location in the terminal extension and opened on March 30.

 

The former North Wing book shop and drug store, and the coffee shop have also closed and moved to new locations in the extension departure area.

 

MASSIVE CAPACITY EXPANSION

The mixed category TIAT North Wing Duty Free Shop sub-leased by JAL-DFS has moved to a new, larger location in the terminal extension. The former adjacent TIAT North Wing multi-brand boutique, also sub-leased by JAL-DFS will relocate to the extension area later this year.

 

“The TIAT North Wing boutique, also operated by JAL-DFS for TIAT, has closed. The new boutique to replace this is still being constructed and will open this autumn in the new extension,” Hayashi said. “We will also have four or five new boutiques in the TIAT main terminal area. They will open in the summer season.”

 

Meanwhile, the 50% increase in international flight slots available at Haneda Airport means that about 80 flight slots are now available at TIAT daily. The increased flight slots are between 6.00am and 11.00pm, expanding the number of daytime flights at TIAT.

 

Japan’s Transport Ministry has awarded 11 new take-off and landing slots to All Nippon Airways and five new slots to Japan Airlines. Foreign airlines have also received new slots.

 

Currently, scheduled services are operated from TIAT to 24 cities worldwide in Asia, Europe, the United States and the Middle East.

 

[TOP IMAGE: TIAT’s main terminal building].