Sendai Airport
Encyclopedia
is an airport located in Natori, Miyagi
, 13.6 km (8.5 mi) south southeast of Sendai Station
, Sendai, Japan
.
built Sendai Airport in order to use it for the Kumakaya Army Flight School, Masda Branch School Trainee Training Center. It was called by several names: Natory Airfield, Masda Airfield, and Yatory Airfield. In 1943, the Miho Army Flight Center moved into Sendai Airport and facilities were expanded and later reformed into Sendai Army Flight School.
At the end of World War II
, the United States Army
took control of the airport and its operations. In 1956, it was returned to Japan and transferred to the The Ministry of Defense. The Ministry of Transport was designated to administer and use it.
In 1957, the runway was extended to 1200 metres (3,937 ft) and Nippon Helicopter Transport (now All Nippon Airways
) established a route from Tokyo's (Haneda Airport) to Sendai. In 1963, All Nippon Airways Flight 802 missed its approach and crashed into the airport, but there were no fatalities. When the airport began to service commercial jets on February 14, 1970, runway B was extended to 2000 metres (6,562 ft). Also, the flight school of Japan Ground Self Defense Force
moved into North Utsunomiya Army Post. Beginning 6 April 1990, Asiana Airlines
established a route to Seoul (Gimpo International Airport
) to Sendai, thus beginning international service from the airport. In 1992, Runway B was extended further to 2500 metres (8,202 ft) and 5 years later, in 1997, a new terminal was opened. On 5 December 2002 airport improved accessibility with the beginning of construction of the Sendai Airport Line
rail link which was completed on 18 March 2007, and began service between Sendai Station
and Sendai Airport Station
. On 19 March 2010, the airport's observation deck Smile Terrace was opened.
and then badly flooded by the subsequent tsunami. In addition to submerging the tarmac, taxiways and runway, the floodwaters reached up to parts of the 2nd level of the passenger terminal, rendering electrical equipment, transformers and safety equipment inoperable. Operations at Sendai as well as Odate-Noshiro Airport
and Sado Airport
, which had been controlled by Sendai Airport control tower, were suspended. Some 1300 people were stranded within the terminal until 13 March, when they were evacuated. By 17 March military engineers partially opened the airport for tsunami response flights.
To reopen the airport, on 16 March 2011 a team from the United States Air Force
's 320th Special Tactics Squadron from Kadena Air Base
parachuted into Matsushima, Miyagi
, then moved overland to the airport. With assistance from Japan Self-Defense Forces
, enough debris was removed in a few hours to allow Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft to begin landing with more equipment, personnel, and supplies. After further cleanup with help from additional US and Japanese military units, on 20 March 2011 a US Air Force C-17 landed at the airport with 40 metric tons of relief supplies. Thereafter, the airport served as a transit location for airlifted supplies, totaling approximately 2 million tons of such items as blankets, water, and food. The US military set up and operated air traffic control operations for the airport until shortly before commercial traffic resumed, at which point air traffic control responsibility was resumed by Japanese controllers.
The airport reopened to limited commercial traffic on 13 April 2011. Japan Airlines and ANA conducted a total of six flights a day to Tokyo Haneda Airport upon resumption of services, with Japan Airlines also offering limited flights to Osaka Itami airport.
architect Gyo Obata
, of the St. Louis architecture firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum.
There are 4 floors in the terminal:
The airport has 8 Jet bridges to handle aircraft coming and leaving the airport
The west end of the terminal services domestic routes and the east side international routes.
The control tower, Tokyo Regional Civil Aviation Bureau office and Air Cargo Terminal are located on the west side of the main terminal building.
To the south side of the airport are the facilities for small private aircraft, helipads (4) and aircraft hangars.
, which connects the airport to Sendai Station
, opened on March 18, 2007. The journey to the downtown core of the city takes 17–25 minutes. The Sendai Airport Line service is currently suspended and replaced with an interim bus service from Sendai Station.
The airport can be accessed by car via Sendai-Tobu Toll Road via Route 20. There are two car parks are located at the terminal building (Parking 1 with 970 spots) and east side of the airport property (Parking 2 with 250 spots).
Buses and taxis also service the airport and located outside the Domestic Terminal:
. Continental Airlines
's route to Guam
is the only destination outside of Asia.
Note: Because of the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami, all scheduled service (except for humanitarian flights) were suspended from 11 March 2011 until 13 April 2011. Limited services resumed on 13 April 2011. Not all original Sendai destinations may be served. See destinations below for planned service resumption. Regular domestic flights resumed on 25 July 2011 and most international flights resumed October 2011.
Natori, Miyagi
is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 72,757 and a population density of 727 persons per km². The total area is officially 100.07 km²....
, 13.6 km (8.5 mi) south southeast of Sendai Station
Sendai Station (Miyagi)
is the major railway hub of the Tōhoku region in Japan, serving more passengers than any station outside the Greater Tokyo Area. It is a stop for all Akita and Tōhoku Shinkansen trains, the eastern terminus for the Senzan Line, and major stop on both the Tōhoku Main Line and Senseki Line...
, Sendai, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
History
In 1940, the Imperial Japanese ArmyImperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
built Sendai Airport in order to use it for the Kumakaya Army Flight School, Masda Branch School Trainee Training Center. It was called by several names: Natory Airfield, Masda Airfield, and Yatory Airfield. In 1943, the Miho Army Flight Center moved into Sendai Airport and facilities were expanded and later reformed into Sendai Army Flight School.
At the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
took control of the airport and its operations. In 1956, it was returned to Japan and transferred to the The Ministry of Defense. The Ministry of Transport was designated to administer and use it.
In 1957, the runway was extended to 1200 metres (3,937 ft) and Nippon Helicopter Transport (now All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways
, also known as or ANA, is one of the largest airlines in Japan. It is headquartered at the Shiodome City Center in the Shiodome area in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It operates services to 49 destinations in Japan and 35 international routes and employed over 14,000 employees as of May 2009...
) established a route from Tokyo's (Haneda Airport) to Sendai. In 1963, All Nippon Airways Flight 802 missed its approach and crashed into the airport, but there were no fatalities. When the airport began to service commercial jets on February 14, 1970, runway B was extended to 2000 metres (6,562 ft). Also, the flight school of Japan Ground Self Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
moved into North Utsunomiya Army Post. Beginning 6 April 1990, Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines Inc. is one of South Korea's two major airlines, along with Korean Air. Asiana has its headquarters in Asiana Town in Osoe-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul...
established a route to Seoul (Gimpo International Airport
Gimpo International Airport
Gimpo International Airport , commonly known as Gimpo Airport , is located in the far western end of Seoul and was the main international airport for Seoul and South Korea before it was replaced by Incheon International Airport in 2001...
) to Sendai, thus beginning international service from the airport. In 1992, Runway B was extended further to 2500 metres (8,202 ft) and 5 years later, in 1997, a new terminal was opened. On 5 December 2002 airport improved accessibility with the beginning of construction of the Sendai Airport Line
Sendai Airport Line
The is an airport rail link service connecting Sendai Airport to Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. Rail service began on March 18, 2007. The line was severely damaged by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and service was suspended indefinitely from 11 March 2011, not reopening until 1 October, nearly 7...
rail link which was completed on 18 March 2007, and began service between Sendai Station
Sendai Station
Sendai Station the name of two train stations in Japan:*Sendai Station , Miyagi Prefecture* Sendai Station , Kagoshima Prefecture...
and Sendai Airport Station
Sendai Airport Station
is a railway station located in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The terminus station serves two tracks, each capable of holding 6-car trains.-Adjacent stations:...
. On 19 March 2010, the airport's observation deck Smile Terrace was opened.
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
On 11 March 2011, the airport was first damaged by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
and then badly flooded by the subsequent tsunami. In addition to submerging the tarmac, taxiways and runway, the floodwaters reached up to parts of the 2nd level of the passenger terminal, rendering electrical equipment, transformers and safety equipment inoperable. Operations at Sendai as well as Odate-Noshiro Airport
Odate-Noshiro Airport
Odate-Noshiro Airport is an airport in Kitaakita, Akita, Japan and is west of Ōdate at above sea level.-Airlines and destinations:...
and Sado Airport
Sado Airport
Sado Airport is a public aerodrome located southwest of Ryōtsu in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, Japan....
, which had been controlled by Sendai Airport control tower, were suspended. Some 1300 people were stranded within the terminal until 13 March, when they were evacuated. By 17 March military engineers partially opened the airport for tsunami response flights.
To reopen the airport, on 16 March 2011 a team from the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 320th Special Tactics Squadron from Kadena Air Base
Kadena Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
parachuted into Matsushima, Miyagi
Matsushima, Miyagi
is a town located in Miyagi District, Miyagi, Japan. It is most famous as the location of Matsushima Bay, one of the Three Views of Japan, and is also the site of the Zuigan-ji, one of the most famous Zen temples in Tōhoku, Entsū-in and Kanrantei....
, then moved overland to the airport. With assistance from Japan Self-Defense Forces
Japan Self-Defense Forces
The , or JSDF, occasionally referred to as JSF or SDF, are the unified military forces of Japan that were established after the end of the post–World War II Allied occupation of Japan. For most of the post-war period the JSDF was confined to the islands of Japan and not permitted to be deployed...
, enough debris was removed in a few hours to allow Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft to begin landing with more equipment, personnel, and supplies. After further cleanup with help from additional US and Japanese military units, on 20 March 2011 a US Air Force C-17 landed at the airport with 40 metric tons of relief supplies. Thereafter, the airport served as a transit location for airlifted supplies, totaling approximately 2 million tons of such items as blankets, water, and food. The US military set up and operated air traffic control operations for the airport until shortly before commercial traffic resumed, at which point air traffic control responsibility was resumed by Japanese controllers.
The airport reopened to limited commercial traffic on 13 April 2011. Japan Airlines and ANA conducted a total of six flights a day to Tokyo Haneda Airport upon resumption of services, with Japan Airlines also offering limited flights to Osaka Itami airport.
Facilities
The main passenger terminal building was designed by Japanese AmericanJapanese American
are American people of Japanese heritage. Japanese Americans have historically been among the three largest Asian American communities, but in recent decades have become the sixth largest group at roughly 1,204,205, including those of mixed-race or mixed-ethnicity...
architect Gyo Obata
Gyo Obata
Gyo Obata is a significant American architect, the son of renowned painter Chiura Obata and his wife, Haruko Obata, a floral designer. In 1955, he co-founded global architectural firm HOK . He lives in St. Louis, Missouri and still works in HOK's St. Louis office...
, of the St. Louis architecture firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum.
There are 4 floors in the terminal:
- G1: arrivals area (domestic and international), baggage claim, customs, central Plaza - G1
- M2 - arrivals concourse, atrium, customs control area
- 2 - departure area (domestic and international), airline offices, check-in counters, lounges and waiting areaa
- 3 - retail shops (4), business lounge, waiting area and access to observation deck
The airport has 8 Jet bridges to handle aircraft coming and leaving the airport
The west end of the terminal services domestic routes and the east side international routes.
The control tower, Tokyo Regional Civil Aviation Bureau office and Air Cargo Terminal are located on the west side of the main terminal building.
To the south side of the airport are the facilities for small private aircraft, helipads (4) and aircraft hangars.
Transportation
The Sendai Airport LineSendai Airport Line
The is an airport rail link service connecting Sendai Airport to Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. Rail service began on March 18, 2007. The line was severely damaged by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and service was suspended indefinitely from 11 March 2011, not reopening until 1 October, nearly 7...
, which connects the airport to Sendai Station
Sendai Station (Miyagi)
is the major railway hub of the Tōhoku region in Japan, serving more passengers than any station outside the Greater Tokyo Area. It is a stop for all Akita and Tōhoku Shinkansen trains, the eastern terminus for the Senzan Line, and major stop on both the Tōhoku Main Line and Senseki Line...
, opened on March 18, 2007. The journey to the downtown core of the city takes 17–25 minutes. The Sendai Airport Line service is currently suspended and replaced with an interim bus service from Sendai Station.
The airport can be accessed by car via Sendai-Tobu Toll Road via Route 20. There are two car parks are located at the terminal building (Parking 1 with 970 spots) and east side of the airport property (Parking 2 with 250 spots).
Buses and taxis also service the airport and located outside the Domestic Terminal:
- Buses: Miyagi Kotsu (to Natori JR Station), Iwanuma Shimin (Iwanuma JR Station) and Sendai (Yamagat Zao - seasonal)
- Taxis - Sendai City and Tatekoshi JR Station
Airlines and destinations
The airlines that operate at the airport mainly fly to domestic destinations. The few international flights are to destinations in the Far EastFar East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
. Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
's route to Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
is the only destination outside of Asia.
Note: Because of the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami, all scheduled service (except for humanitarian flights) were suspended from 11 March 2011 until 13 April 2011. Limited services resumed on 13 April 2011. Not all original Sendai destinations may be served. See destinations below for planned service resumption. Regular domestic flights resumed on 25 July 2011 and most international flights resumed October 2011.
Current Service
Pre Tsunami/Earthquake service that has not resumed
External links
Airport website how-to movies on transportation in Sendai- cars and aircraft being washed away by the 2011 tsunami2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunamiThe 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
: