Narita International Airport opened a terminal for budget airlines Wednesday as it courts a growing number of low-cost carriers for domestic and short-haul overseas flights.
The airport, serving the greater Tokyo area, inaugurated its third terminal at 3:30 a.m. with a countdown and applause by a crowd of around 100 terminal users.
Sosuke Nakano, a 24-year-old company employee from Saitama Prefecture on a sight-seeing trip to Kagoshima, said, "I hope the new terminal will help grow LCCs and increase our traveling options."
The nation's largest global gateway is urging passengers to arrive early for Terminal 3 since it takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes on foot or bus from Terminal 2, which hosts the nearest train stations.
Terminal 3 comprises a three-story main building and a two-story satellite facility and corridors occupying a total space of roughly 66,000 sq. meters.
The opening came a day after Jetstar Japan Co. said it will launch flights between Narita and Hong Kong on June 1 with three round trips a week.
