Central Japan International Airport outside Nagoya is considering building a terminal for budget airlines, officials at the airport, also known as Chubu, said.
Talks are under way with Malaysia's AirAsia, the largest budget airline in Asia, which has been requesting the construction of a terminal exclusively for budget carriers, according to the officials at Centrair.
The airline, which partners with All Nippon Airways Co. in running AirAsia Japan, has unveiled a plan to start flying to Nagoya by the end of December if conditions are met.
A budget airline terminal typically has simpler features and lower usage charges for carriers. Kansai International and Narita already have such facilities.
On a visit to Japan in September, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes spoke of the need for a simple terminal with modest landing fees, such as a single-story structure without elevators and other equipment.
JAL-Bangkok Air deal
KyodoJapan Airlines Co. says it will start a partnership next week with Bangkok Airways Co. for code-shared flights that will effectively expand JAL's services within Thailand from the Thai airline's Bangkok hub.
It will also add to JAL's services to other Asian cities, airline officials said Wednesday.
Bangkok Airways will meanwhile add its flight codes on JAL flights linking Bangkok and Tokyo and Osaka. The two carriers have also agreed on a reciprocal mileage service to redeem frequent-flier rewards on either airline.