Etihad, Emirates expand UAE-Japan flights to meet travel demands.

Strong Air Connectivity Between Japan and the UAE Continues to Expand

These carriers collectively offer more than 20 weekly flights connecting the two countries. Etihad operates seven weekly flights to Tokyo, while Emirates provides daily services to Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, and Osaka , To meet the increasing demand for travel between the two nations, both airlines have plans for expansion. The UAE's national carriers currently serve Narita and Osaka with a total of 21 flights per week.

Bilateral Aviation Relations Strengthened Between the UAE and Japan

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) highlights the enduring bilateral relationship between the UAE and Japan. In 1998, the two countries signed an Air Services Agreement, granting their respective airlines the rights to operate regular and non-regular passenger flights, as well as air cargo flights, connecting the two nations , During the first half of this year, UAE airports recorded 46,776 departures to Japan and 45,804 arrivals from Japan. Additionally, 357,214 passengers transited through the UAE's airports, demonstrating the significance of air travel between the countries , The GCAA further reveals that the civil aviation authorities of both nations are collaboratively working to enhance air traffic by adding more scheduled flights. They plan to convene an air transport meeting before the year's end to explore further opportunities for increasing air connectivity.

Etihad and Emirates Expand Flight Operations to Japan

Etihad Airways, which commenced its first flight to Japan in March 2010 and has maintained a seven-weekly service to Tokyo since then, intends to augment its flights to Japan in October, elevating the total number of weekly flights to 12. The airline also plans to introduce flights to Osaka, starting in October of this year. Etihad Airways operates these routes using Boeing 787-9 aircraft , Meanwhile, Emirates serves 26 cities across 10 regions in Japan. Since 2002, the airline has been offering daily flights to Osaka and Tokyo, serving Narita and Haneda airports in the Japanese capital. Through a codeshare partnership with Japan Airlines (JAL), Emirates connects passengers to 26 cities throughout Japan, along with ten regional destinations via Tokyo and Osaka.

Emirates Resumes A380 Service and Strengthens Presence in Japan

In response to the surge in travel demand following the lifting of pandemic-related travel restrictions, Emirates has reinstated its A380 service to Tokyo Narita Airport from November 15, 2022. This move demonstrates the airline's steadfast commitment to Japan's travel and tourism sector , Emirates' A380 aircraft, with its larger seating capacity compared to the Boeing 777-300ER, now serves Tokyo Narita, while daily services to Osaka and Haneda continue with the latter aircraft. This expansion aims to accommodate the growing demand for travel to and from Japan, offering passengers a wider range of options and enhanced flexibility , Moreover, Emirates resumed its service to Tokyo-Haneda on April 2, 2023, thereby fully restoring its Japanese network. This restoration solidifies Emirates' presence in Japan, providing travelers to and from this prominent Asian and global destination with more choices and increased flexibility.

Emirates Supports Japan's Travel and Tourism Industry Amidst the Pandemic

By resuming its service to Tokyo-Haneda, Emirates underscores its unwavering support for Japan's travel and tourism industry in the aftermath of the pandemic. This step caters to the escalating demand for international travel and fosters inbound travel from key markets through Emirates' extensive global network , In addition to the daily flights with A380 aircraft to Tokyo-Narita and Boeing 777 aircraft to Osaka, Emirates has strengthened its presence in Japan by reintroducing service to Haneda. Haneda has served as a vital gateway connecting trade and tourism between Japan and the rest of the world since 2013 , Emirates also commemorated its 20 years of successful operations at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, where it pioneered the air link between Japan and the Middle East in 2002. Throughout the pandemic, Emirates has played a significant role in supporting the local community by transporting essential cargo from Japan to global markets via its hub in Dubai, thereby ensuring the continuity of vital commercial ties during challenging times.