Qantas Presses Pause On Ambitious Tokyo Haneda Expansion, Keeping Narita As The Primary Gateway To Japan Amid Unfavorable Slot Allocations And Competitive Operational Setbacks

Published on November 13, 2025

Qantas has decided to halt its plans to make Tokyo’s Haneda Airport its primary base in Japan, opting to maintain Narita as its main gateway instead. This strategic shift comes after the airline faced unfavorable slot allocations at Haneda, which did not align with its operational needs. Despite securing slots previously assigned to Virgin Australia for the now-cancelled Cairns-Tokyo Haneda service, the available timings for flights were far from ideal. As a result, Qantas has chosen to press pause on its ambitious expansion at Haneda, continuing to rely on Narita, which remains a more viable and competitive option for its Japan routes.

Qantas has made a significant shift in its strategy regarding its operations in Tokyo. The airline has decided to put on hold its plan to make Tokyo’s Haneda Airport its primary hub in the Japanese capital, opting instead to continue its operations at Narita Airport, which is located farther from the city center. This change of direction comes after a review of available slot timings at Haneda, which did not align with the airline’s operational needs.

Currently, Qantas runs two daily flights between Sydney and Haneda, while flights from Melbourne and Brisbane are routed through Narita Airport. For the airline, Haneda has long been considered a more desirable option for Tokyo operations due to its proximity to the city center, making it more convenient for passengers. This desire to shift operations to Haneda was solidified when Qantas secured the airport slots previously allocated to Virgin Australia, which had canceled its Cairns-Tokyo Haneda service. The new slots, however, were not without their challenges.

The airline had been planning to use these Haneda slots to reroute services from Melbourne and Brisbane to Haneda, replacing their current services to Narita. However, upon reviewing the available slot timings at Haneda, Qantas found that the schedule would not work for their operational model. The early-morning departure of the QF62 flight from Haneda to Brisbane, which was scheduled for 6:50 am, raised significant concerns. The problem was not just the timing but also the long ground time for the aircraft in Tokyo, which would have been nearly 12 hours. This extended layover would not only affect the airline’s operational efficiency but also limit the aircraft’s ability to turn around quickly for subsequent flights.

In light of these operational hurdles, Qantas has requested that the International Air Services Commission (IASC) in Australia revoke the previously approved allocation of slots at Haneda. As a result, flights from Melbourne and Brisbane will continue to operate to Narita, as they have been doing for some time. This delay in shifting operations to Haneda is a setback for Qantas, but the airline has emphasized that it is not abandoning its goal of making Haneda its primary Tokyo hub. Instead, the airline has expressed its intention to revisit the plan once more favorable slot timings become available in the future.

Despite the delay, Qantas remains committed to growing its presence at Haneda. The airline sees Haneda as a crucial location for its operations in Japan, particularly because of its convenience for passengers traveling to and from the city. The move to Haneda would also align with broader global airline trends, where carriers are increasingly focusing on airports closer to city centers in major hubs, to offer a more streamlined and accessible experience for travelers. However, the airline is also mindful of the operational challenges that come with these prime slots, which are often highly competitive and come with limited flexibility.

Japan Airlines (JAL), a partner airline in the Oneworld alliance, currently operates flights between Sydney and Haneda and between Melbourne and Narita. Additionally, ANA (All Nippon Airways), a member of the Star Alliance, connects Sydney to Haneda and Perth to Narita. These airlines have a strong presence in the Japanese capital, and Qantas’ decision to pause its plan to make Haneda its primary hub is in direct competition with these carriers.

While the decision may be a setback in the short term, Qantas has reiterated its commitment to finding the right operational balance for its Tokyo services. The airline plans to work with the relevant authorities in Japan to explore more favorable timings that will allow it to operate out of Haneda while maintaining its commitment to passenger convenience and operational efficiency.

The ongoing challenge for Qantas is to ensure that its international network remains competitive. Tokyo, being one of the busiest and most important air travel markets in the world, is a critical location for the airline. The decision to keep its flights operating through Narita for now ensures that Qantas continues to serve the large number of travelers between Australia and Japan, but the long-term goal remains focused on Haneda, where the airline sees the potential for growth.

In the meantime, Qantas will continue to monitor developments regarding slot availability at Haneda, with an eye on potential opportunities to shift its services as soon as more favorable timings are offered. The airline will also remain flexible in its approach, adapting to the competitive landscape of Tokyo air travel while considering the needs of its passengers and operational demands.

The move to maintain Narita operations temporarily will not only impact Qantas’ schedule but will also affect its competition in the market. With other airlines focusing heavily on optimizing their own services to Haneda, Qantas’ decision highlights the difficulty of securing prime slots at one of the world’s busiest airports. For now, the airline remains focused on serving its customers effectively, whether it be at Narita or in the future at Haneda.

Qantas has paused its Tokyo Haneda expansion due to unfavorable slot allocations and operational challenges, opting to keep Narita as its primary gateway to Japan for better competitiveness and efficiency.

As Qantas continues to expand and evolve its services in Japan, it is clear that the airline will remain flexible in its approach, adjusting to changes in the airline industry and the needs of the market. The airline’s ongoing commitment to improving its Tokyo operations reflects its focus on providing customers with a seamless and efficient travel experience, no matter where they are flying from. In the coming years, as more favorable slot times become available, Qantas will likely revisit its plans for Haneda with an eye toward further strengthening its presence in Tokyo.