Northwest Airlines hopes to expand Tokyo operations
( 2001-07-10 16:51) (7)
The head of Northwest Airlines said Tuesday his company hopes to expand its presence in Japan as a new runway is expected to be built at Tokyo's Narita airport next year.
"We have always availed ourselves for opportunities to (receive) additional slots at Narita Airport," said Richard Anderson, chief executive of the US company.
Northwest operates its Asian hub at Narita, but working out of Japan's international airport is expensive, Anderson said, adding that he hoped to cooperate with local authorities to make the operation more efficient.
At the moment Northwest pays roughly 60 million dollars a year to the Narita Airport Authority for the privilege of 18 daily flights and other fees, he said.
This contrasts with an annual fee of around 35 million dollars for its extensive Minneapolis operation, where the company has 500 to 600 flights a day.
"We want to work with (the Narita Airport Authority)...to make the airport operation more efficient," he said.
The carrier is reviewing Asian routes as it scrutinizes its cost structure, said Anderson, during his first trip to Japan since he was appointed chief executive of the world's fourth largest airliner in February.
Anderson also expressed Northwest's commitment to clients and partners in Japan as the company renews its fleet for the next five years.
"Japan is key to Northwest Airlines' future," he said.
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