With the COVID-19 pandemic having nearly annihilated air passenger demand, it’s now almost certain that an investment blueprint for Hakodate Airport, including renovating its international flight terminal building, will be derailed.
In January 2020, the operation of all runways and other facilities at seven airports in Hokkaido was handed to Hokkaido Airports Co. to be run as a single entity.
Widening the firm's operational framework and maximizing the merits of privatization are key to turning the airports' fortunes around.