Three Gulf Airlines Plan Narita Services

DUBAI (Nikkei)--Three airlines based in Persian Gulf nations will start regular services to and from Narita International Airport as early as next spring, it was learned Monday.

Japan has just concluded state-level negotiations that will pave the way for the services to the major travel hub near Tokyo, to be offered by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, Dubai-based Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways.

Etihad and Emirates each plan to operate five flights a week, while Qatar Airways hopes to offer seven.

Although the airlines will start the services simultaneously, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said he is confident there will be sufficient demand.

Emirates and Qatar Airways will continue serving Osaka's Kansai International Airport after launching their Narita flights. Emirates, which suspended services to Central Japan International Airport near Nagoya in March, has no plans to resume those flights, according to a senior executive.

(The Nikkei May 11 evening edition)