New connections between Oregon and Japan take flight Delta’s new nonstop flight from PDX to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport will better connect the region to Tokyo and Japan
Starting in spring 2020, Delta will transfer its current nonstop flight with Tokyo from Narita to Haneda – Tokyo’s closest and most convenient airport – with added frequency to seven days a week, utilizing an Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Oregon and Southwest Washington have long-standing, strong ties to Japan. These connections will only become stronger now that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) officially approved Delta’s route from Portland International Airport to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
While Delta has not yet announced its flight times, the region is already beginning to celebrate the possibilities when Delta takes flight.
In Tokyo’s hip Shibuya ward, Portland’s spirit and namesake brands can already be found among the sports and outdoor apparel mecca lining “Cat Street” while, just around the corner, the PDX Taproom serves up several Portland craft brews hand-selected by its entrepreneurial owner, herself a former Columbia Sportswear employee.
This enhanced nonstop service strengthens these connections and opens new doors for Oregon and Southwest Washington, better linking the region to a range of business, educational, tourism and cultural opportunities. PDX has benefited from decades of Delta service to Narita International Airport, but Haneda gets travelers to central Tokyo in less than 30 minutes, rather than the 90-minute commute they experienced flying into Narita.
All travelers will benefit from this quicker connection to Haneda. Nearly 150 Japanese companies operate within 90 minutes of PDX and rely on consistent, nonstop service to do their business. Meanwhile, many Oregon companies, including Nike, adidas, Columbia Sportswear and KEEN Footwear, among others, have significant operations in Tokyo.
“Having nonstop air service between Portland and Haneda, which is closer to our new Nike Japan headquarters, is vital to the success of our business. Nike employs more than 500 office personnel in the region and many more in our retail stores, and we rely on a strong network of international and domestic flights,” said Cheryl Glick, director of global meetings and events for Nike Travel.
Delta’s flight also brings economic benefits to local businesses. According to Travel Oregon, the state welcomed 70,000 visitors from Japan last year, which is a 27 percent increase from 2013. Having more convenient connections throughout Japan – which Haneda will offer – can only better connect these tourists to the many outdoor and cultural attractions this region has to offer.
“The Port of Portland, and our stakeholders, are thrilled with Delta’s commitment to use one of their Haneda slots to operate daily nonstop service to Tokyo from PDX. Delta’s long history of nonstop flights to Tokyo is a key reason our region has enjoyed strong business, tourism and cultural ties with Japan,” said David Zielke, director of air service development for Portland International Airport.
