The transport ministry proposed Thursday that Tokyo's Haneda airport be used for regular short-distance international flights by 2009, when it completes construction of a new 2,500-meter runway.
The ministry said Haneda should be used for international flights between Tokyo and cities located within around 2,000 km.
The proposal was made at the third meeting of a panel discussing Haneda's expansion. Panel members consists of transport minister Chikage Ogi, Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara and leaders from seven other neighboring local governments.