Tohoku's gateway airport serving northeastern Japan.
Opened
1944
Location
Natori, Japan
Sendai Airport (IATA: SDJ, ICAO: RJSS) is the primary commercial airport serving the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan, located in the city of Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, approximately 13 kilometers south of central Sendai. It handles both domestic and international flights, connecting the region to major Japanese cities and select international destinations across Asia.
The airport gained international attention following the March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, when it was severely inundated by the tsunami waves, temporarily halting all operations. It was subsequently restored and reopened, with infrastructure improvements made to its facilities.
Sendai Airport was privatized in 2016, becoming the first airport in Japan to be fully transferred to private management under Japan's airport privatization initiative. The airport is managed by Sendai Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., operating under a concession agreement.
Terminals
The airport has a single integrated terminal building handling both domestic and international passengers.
Getting to & from
Sendai Airport is connected to central Sendai by the Sendai Airport Access Line rail service, providing direct train access in approximately 25 minutes.
Airlines here
Major carriers include Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), and several low-cost carriers such as Peach Aviation and Jetstar Japan, along with international services from airlines including Korean Air and China Eastern.
Notable facts
- ›Severely damaged by the March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, with floodwaters reaching the terminal building.
- ›Became the first fully privatized airport in Japan in 2016 under a 30-year concession agreement.
- ›Located approximately 13 km south of central Sendai in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture.
- ›The Sendai Airport Access Line, opened in 2007, provides direct rail links to Sendai Station.
- ›Serves as the main gateway to the Tohoku region, supporting tourism to areas such as Matsushima and Yamadera.
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
