Regular flights between Tokyo’s Haneda, Beijing to start in October

Japan and China agreed to launch regular flights between Tokyo’s Haneda airport and Beijing Capital International Airport from October 2009, Japanese officials said. The accord came at talks between Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing.

Haneda airport, mainly used for domestic flights, is closer to central Tokyo than Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, where regular flights are available to and from Beijing Capital International Airport.

The new flights will mark the second regular service linking Haneda airport and mainland China, following flights started in 2007 between Haneda airport and Shanghai’s Hongqiao airport.

The Shanghai airport, closer to central Shanghai than Shanghai Pudong International Airport, had been used for domestic flights only.