Narita handles 57,000 rush April 26

Narita Airport reached its Golden Week departure peak on Sunday, April 26, with 56,900 people expected to leave on international flights. (narita-airport.jp) (japannews.yomiuri.co.jp) Narita International Airport Corp. said the congestion period runs from April 24 to May 10, covering 17 days of holiday travel. It forecast 801,000 international departures and 793,000 international arrivals during that stretch. (narita-airport.jp) That puts total international traffic at 1.594 million passengers, up 2.0% from the same period in 2025. Domestic traffic is projected at another 368,800 passengers, with domestic departures peaking at 11,800 on May 2. (narita-airport.jp) Golden Week is Japan’s annual cluster of public holidays, and in 2026 it runs from April 29 to May 6. The lineup includes Showa Day on April 29, Constitution Memorial Day on May 3, Greenery Day on May 4, Children’s Day on May 5, and a substitute holiday on May 6. (livejapan.com) Because many workers add leave on April 30 and May 1, the holiday can expand into a much longer break. Fuji News Network reported that some travelers this year could take as many as 12 consecutive days off. (livejapan.com) (fnn.jp) The return rush is expected later than the departure rush. Narita said international arrivals will peak on May 6 at 53,300 passengers, the same day domestic arrivals are projected to hit 11,900. (narita-airport.jp) The Japan News reported that some travelers were also trying to depart before airlines raise fuel surcharges on tickets issued in May, after crude prices climbed with tensions in the Middle East. One Tokyo office worker heading to Spain said he was worried about Iran but still wanted to travel with family. (japannews.yomiuri.co.jp) Narita has advised passengers to use public transportation and arrive well in advance during the holiday period. On April 26, the departure lobbies were already crowded with families and travelers carrying large luggage for trips abroad. (narita-airport.jp) (fnn.jp)