Hokkaido's gateway airport serving greater Sapporo year-round.
Opened
1988
Location
Chitose, Japan
New Chitose Airport (CTS) is the primary commercial airport serving the Sapporo metropolitan area and the island of Hokkaido, Japan. It is one of the busiest airports in Japan by passenger volume, handling tens of millions of passengers annually and serving as a key hub for domestic travel between Hokkaido and the Japanese mainland.
The airport is located in Chitose City, approximately 40 kilometers southeast of central Sapporo. It replaced the older Chitose Airport, which continues to operate as a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base adjacent to the civilian facility.
New Chitose is notable for its heavy winter traffic, as Hokkaido is a premier ski destination attracting both domestic and international visitors. The airport features extensive shopping and dining facilities, including a ramen theme area and a Royce' chocolate factory, making it a destination in itself.
Terminals
The airport has two domestic terminal buildings (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) connected by a walkway, plus a separate international terminal.
Getting to & from
The airport is directly connected to central Sapporo via the JR Rapid Airport train service, with a journey time of approximately 37 minutes.
Airlines here
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) dominate domestic operations, while Air Do is also based here; international carriers include Air China, Korean Air, and various Asian low-cost carriers.
Notable facts
- ›New Chitose opened in 1988 as the civilian replacement for the original Chitose Airport.
- ›It consistently ranks among Japan's top five busiest airports by passenger numbers.
- ›The airport features a Royce' chocolate factory and museum within its terminal.
- ›A military airfield (JASDF Chitose Air Base) operates on the same site adjacent to the civilian runways.
- ›The airport has two parallel runways oriented roughly north-south.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
