Quote:
Originally Posted by Cage
Osaka has the same problem as Montreal in the 70-90s. Think of it this way KIX=YMX and ITA=YUL. Hard for local Japan traffic to hub at KIX due to small domestic operations.
Second big problem is that Japanese are introverted with a strong preference to stay on their own airlines, JAL and ANA. Both the major airlines had hub in Tokyo so no need for major connection hub at KIX. Consequently KIX was primarily a foreign airline airport.
Back when KIX was conceived, airlines had to use Japan as connection point for all of Asia. Today with the long range aircraft can overfly Japan. Combined with Chinese/Japanese neighbour relations considered poor at best, an most Chinese connection pax would prefer to pay for nonstop to NA.
Finally Japan economy has been in perpetual slump/recession since mid 90s.
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Interesting comparison to Montreal. I hadn't thought of it like that. Though, in Montreal's case... they even have the cultural advantage of being North America's French link.
True, Itami (Osaka International) is a MUCH more convenient airport for most of the Area, being smack dab in the middle of Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto... pity there was never any room for expansion.
Interestingly, KIX seems to have more connections to China than Narita or Haneda.
However, one thing that I don't understand is that in the meantime, ICN ended up taking a lot of the through traffic to Asia. ICN isn't exactly conveniently located for most of Seoul. How did ICN attract the base? Low landing fees?
In some ways, I see a parallel between YVR, YYZ and LAX/SFO. YVR is a secondary airport, KIX... YYZ is like Tokyo and Seoul is the mega hub of SFO/LAX. OF course, the difference being that we can't jump on a train and be in ANY major city in less than 3 hours.