TOKYO -- The airports serving Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa are among the regional gateways with plans to expand and renovate amid a surge in overseas visitors.
New Chitose Airport, outside of Sapporo, is to undergo its biggest overhaul since opening in 1988. In addition to building a new terminal, plans call for reconfiguring the layout of taxiways and other facilities. A dedicated terminal for budget carriers also is being considered. The initiative likely will cost more than 100 billion yen ($806 million), including private investment. The transport ministry is reviewing the project, with an eye toward requesting partial funding in the fiscal 2016 budget.
