The Chiba Prefectural Government has approved the use of Tokyo's Haneda airport for international chartered flights, telling transport authorities that it would allow such flights on condition they are operated during the hours Narita airport is closed, it was learned Thursday.
The move comes as the Transport Ministry was seeking Chiba's approval to use Haneda for such flights. At present, Haneda is mostly a domestic airport, while most international passenger flights use Narita airport -- officially named the New Tokyo International Airport -- in Chiba Prefecture.
According to sources close to the talks, Chiba officials told the ministry that if such flights are to be allowed, they should only be operated between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.