KITAKYUSHU (Kyodo) New Kitakyushu Airport will open off the city of Kitakyushu on March 16, with its largest selling points being reduced noise pollution and operations from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m., chiefly to attract businesspeople.
"Kyushu has so far not been linked to the Tokyo metropolitan area early in the morning and in the middle of the night. We are pleased to be able to offer a new service," said Takaaki Hori, president of Star Flyer Inc., a new airline that will use the airport.
Built at a cost of 102.4 billion yen, the new facility will be under state control.