Challenges and initiatives regarding the extension of operating hours at Osaka International Airport

Abstract

Osaka International Airport is an urban airport located near the city center, and its operating hours are set at 14 hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The airport extends its hours under unavoidable circumstances and allows takeoffs and landings after 9:00 p.m. However, the airport has long conflicted with local communities over aircraft noise at night, and now, the airport receives harsh opinions especially regarding noise at night and takeoffs and landings after 9:00 p.m. And the number of flights taking-off and landing outside of the operating hours has been on the rise, reaching a record high in FY2022, despite all the countermeasures described later. This is caused not only by the congestion of air traffic flow seen for the last several years, but also by severe weather events around the airport, such as frequent typhoons and thunderclouds triggered by the recent intensifying climate changes. It is becoming even more critical to ensure on-time performance and to gain the understanding of local communities about the circumstances above. The presentation will introduce many initiatives to assess the situation accurately, ensure punctuality in cooperation with airlines, and engage in regular dialogues with residents in the surrounding area.