Pilots trained as 4th runway built in Haneda

Pilots are receiving training as Tokyo's Haneda Airport resumes its full-fledged handling of regular international flights next month for the first time in 32 years.

With the completion of the 4th runway in the southeast area of the airport, Haneda will ultimately handle 50 percent more landings and takeoffs than the current level.

The 4 runways form overlapping crosses, causing air traffic control to be unusually complex.

All Nippon Airways has been conducting training sessions for pilots and flight managers since August to ensure smooth flight operation on the 4 runways.

The trainees are reminded that planes can take off and land at the same time on 2 neighboring runways. Flight courses of departing and arriving aircraft may cross each other.

Air traffic controllers at Haneda are being trained on a special simulator to experience the complicated task of controlling operations on the 4 runways.

The 4th runway will open on October 21st, and regular international flights will begin on October 31st.