Hokkaido Airports Expands Network with New Routes
Since its formation in August 2019, Hokkaido Airports has transformed air travel in Japan’s northernmost prefecture by operating seven airports, including New Chitose, Wakkanai, Kushiro, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Obihiro and Memanbetsu. In 2024, New Chitose Airport (CTS)—the fifth-largest in Japan—served 23 million passengers, marking a robust recovery in international travel with nearly four million arrivals. That resurgence has been driven largely by visitors from Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, who together accounted for 85 percent of inbound traffic.
Hokkaido Airports has welcomed a wave of new airline partners to CTS, including Aero K Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Vietjet Air, Beijing Capital Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air. In November 2024, Aero K launched a direct route from Cheongju in South Korea, offering commuters and holidaymakers a fresh link to Sapporo. Domestic connectivity also strengthened in March 2025 when Fuji Dream Airlines expanded its schedule to include Niigata and Fukuoka, reinforcing Hokkaido’s role as both a local hub and gateway for visitors exploring Japan’s regional highlights.
Looking to attract long-haul travelers and smooth seasonal peaks, Hokkaido Airports has collaborated with Qantas to restore service between Sydney and CTS after a five-year hiatus. Beginning in December, Qantas will operate three weekly flights aimed at tapping Australia’s ski tourism market. This return underscores Hokkaido’s appeal not only as a winter sports destination but also as a year-round leisure mecca, from hot springs to national parks.
In pursuit of further growth, Hokkaido Airports exhibited at the Routes Asia conference in Perth, Australia, leveraging its Routes 360 profile to engage with global carriers. “Airlines are recognizing the Japanese market’s return to outbound travel and are keen to reinstate and expand their routes,” said Kenjiro Karahashi, managing director for aviation business development. Hokkaido Airports aims to rebuild previous connections and forge new long-haul links that can balance passenger flows across summer festivals and winter sports seasons.
Beyond passenger numbers, Hokkaido Airports has prioritized strategic partnerships and infrastructure development to support its expanding route network. Investments in terminal upgrades, streamlined customs procedures and enhanced passenger amenities have been designed to accommodate growing volumes while maintaining efficient operations and a high-quality travel experience. These improvements serve both foreign visitors enjoying Hokkaido’s natural beauty and domestic travelers connecting through the region’s airports.
The renewed focus on long-haul routes complements Hokkaido’s ambitious tourism plan, which seeks to showcase the prefecture’s culinary heritage, wildlife and cultural festivals. By aligning airline schedules with peak travel periods—such as cherry blossom season and snow festival weeks—Hokkaido Airports is positioning its network to capture maximum demand from international markets that previously required indirect connections through Tokyo or Osaka.
With strong performance at CTS and increasing connectivity across its seven-airport system, Hokkaido Airports is charting a course for sustainable growth. Its combination of restored services, new routes and targeted marketing to airline partners aims to secure Hokkaido’s place on the map for global travelers seeking authentic regional Japan experiences. As Hokkaido Airports continues to evolve, passengers can look forward to more direct options from overseas and a seamless travel experience throughout the year.
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