滝本 匠 
June 11, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Shinji Sano
Miyakojima – Miyako Shimojishima Airport in Sawada Irabu, Miyajojima has surpassed the 500,000-passenger park. The milestone was announced by Shimojishima Airport Management (SAMCO) on May 27. The major mark was reached just three years after the airport opened.
Shimojishima Airport was opened as a gateway between Miyakojima and destinations both domestic and abroad on March 30, 2019. The airport was opened with the goal of pushing the number of tourist visitors to 1 million per year, and had garnered high expectation from locals hoping it would boost the city’s economy.
SAMCO has been developing the airport’s business along with Mitsubishi Estate, who own the terminal facilities, by enticing airlines to add routes through the airport. Initially, the regular service routes to use the airport were Jetstar Japan’s Shimojishima-Narita and Shimojishima-Kansai routes, and HK Express’ Shimojishima-Hong Kong route. Currently, the airport hosts four routes: Jetstar’s Narita route and Skymark’s Narita, Kobe, and Naha routes, which began operating in October of 2020. International routes have been put on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 2021 passenger total was up 1.7 times year-over-year at approximately 217,000 people.
SAMCO commented, “We want to strengthen our partnerships with each of the locations we work with, and continue to boost the local economy by increasing the flow of people who come through the airport.”
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
