The Constantly Evolving Tokyo International Airport

When discussing the various changes and history ofrunways. While embroiled in the Korean War, U.S.
Tokyo International Airport, also called Hanedaforces used HND as a strategic military base that
Airport (HND), it's remarkable that such a relativelyallowed Navy flight nurses to evacuate seriously
small part of Asia can have such a large effect oninjured patients to nearby Tokyo and Yoksuka
international travel. HND used handle the domestichospitals. By 1952, Japan regained control of HND and
flights entering and leaving Tokyo, while the nearbycontinued the expansion started by the U.S. by
Narita International aviation center tackled primarily allbuilding HND's first passenger terminal in 1955 (which
international flights, but today's HND has expanded tolater got an extension to handle international flights
be able to offer services to many more internationalby 1963).
markets (i.e. Seoul, Shanghai, and Hong Kong). TheThe Modern HND is still largely in a state of flux. As
second busiest airport in Asia, HND is the fifth busiestmentioned, HND has started taking more international
in the entire world based on passenger travel, andflights after historically leaving the Narita International
further expansion plans should see their handlingAirport to fill the role. Due to Narita being closed
capabilities reach around 90 million passengers by thebetween 11 PM and 6 AM, it made since for Haneda
end of 2010.to take over the gap in international flight coverage.
HND first started as a civil airspace during World WarThe 3rd terminal at HND built specifically for
II that offered flights throughout Korea, Manchuria,international travel is almost set to be completed
and the rest of Japan. After the war in 1945, the U.S.(projected date of completion is October 2010), and
Allied Forces took command of HND (renaming itwill be a 5-story terminal with 2,300-car-capacity
Haneda Army Air Base) and extended HND'sparking lot.