Tokyo airport transfer time to be improved

Transfer times between Narita International Airport in Tokyo and the city centre will be cut in 2010, it has been announced.

The national tourist organisation of Japan announced that the Keisei Skyliner, which is the main method of transport between the airport and the city along with the Narita Express, will offer a journey time of just over 30 minutes from 2010.

This reduction of 15 minutes will be made possible by new model Skyliner cars, which will run at up to 160km/h on high-speed tracks.

With the exception of the Shinkansen bullet train network, these tracks will provide the fastest rail service in Japan.

In another improvement to the transfer service from Narita Airport, a new terminal will open in Nippori, about ten minutes from Tokyo Station.

The enhancements will not be all about speed, however, as Keisei Railway is consulting with Kansai Yamamoto, one of the most famous fashion designers in Japan, on improving the trains' appearance, comfort, luggage space and functionality.

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