April 27
International arrivals and departures at Narita Airport, near Tokyo, during Japan's upcoming spring holidays are predicted to surge to more than five times last year's figure.
Officials of Narita International Airport Corporation said on Thursday that over 565,000 people are expected to use Narita Airport to enter or leave Japan during the 10-day period from Friday, April 28 through May 7.
This is 5.7 times the number for the same period last year. But it is less than 60 percent of the figure for the spring holidays in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials say more than 300,000 people are likely to head abroad from Narita Airport, more than seven times last year's figure. They predict that departures will peak on Saturday.
The number of passengers entering Japan through Narita Airport during the 10-day period is estimated at over 264,000. This is more than four times the number recorded in the same period last year. Arrivals are expected to peak on May 7.
Officials of the airport operator say baggage handling and security checks will require more time than usual during the period.
The president of Narita International Airport Corporation, Tamura Akihiko, is advising travelers to arrive early for their flights.
NHK
