The operator of Narita airport hopes to increase annual traffic at the airport near Tokyo to about 300,000 flights from the current 200,000 to maintain its status as an international hub by meeting growing demand, according to its officials.

Although it still has no prospects of winning consent from affected local governments, the 50% increase is possible by moving the landing course by 15 degrees to the east and allowing planes to take off and land simultaneously on two runways, said the officials of Narita International Airport Corp.

By increasing the capacity, it expects to solve the problem of airlines of more than 40 countries being kept waiting for slots at the airport, they also said.