Japanese carrier ANA is providing a complimentary helicopter transfer service to its First Class passengers returning to Tokyo’s Narita Airport that will link the outlying airport with downtown Tokyo in just 30 minutes.
Passengers will be driven from Narita Airport to Narita (Sakura) Heliport, 15 minutes from the main airport terminals, and take a 15-minute flight to Ark Hills Heliport in Tokyo’s Akasaka district.
Shinya Katanozaka, ANA’s executive vice-president for marketing and sales, said: “Most of our intercontinental flights arrive mid-afternoon in Narita and many busy executives need to get back into central Tokyo within the working day. This is hopefully a choice that can enhance their lifestyles, not to mention the thrill of flying so closely over one of the world’s most exciting and vibrant metropolises.”
The 30-minute transfer contrasts
with the hour-long rail trip from Narita to Central Tokyo station and
between 80 and 120 minutes by airport limousine bus. The service is
operated by Mori Building City Air Services MCAS, which normally
charges JPY57,000 (US$605) for the trip. The company also offers onward limousine transfers from the heliport to hotels or offices in Tokyo for prices ranging from US$20 to US$60 depending on distance.
The service will use a Eurocopter EC135, which seats four to five passengers, with an interior designed by Maison Hermes of France. It will be available until March 31, 2010 and will be offered to First Class round-trip passengers arriving in Narita on ANA flights from New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Frankfurt.
For further details see www.ana.co.jp and www.mcas.co.jp
Kenny Coyle
