© FlyTeam January Mansatsu
Chubu Centrair International Airport Photographed on August 2, 2024 UR-82029 Antonov An-124 Ruslan Antonov Airlines
The sudden arrival of a Boeing 707 at Futenma Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, along with Vietnam Airlines’ newly painted hybrid aircraft, sparked considerable interest. This article highlights several aircraft that landed at Japanese airports between August 2nd and 8th, 2024, including a significant presence of diverse Italian Air Force aircraft.
August 2nd and 6th: Fukuoka Airport
Hunnu Air’s Embraer ERJ190 aircraft “Registration number: JU-8811.”
The Mongolian airline Hunnu Air operates charter flights across Japan and conducted a charter service between Fukuoka and Ulaanbaatar. This marked their first visit to the airport since 2014.
© FlyTeam Special Express 7032M
Fukuoka Airport Photographed on August 2, 2024 JU-8811 Embraer ERJ-190-100 LR (ERJ-190LR) Hunnu Air
© FlyTeam So-tan
Fukuoka Airport Photographed on August 6, 2024 JU-1812 Embraer ERJ-190-100 LR (ERJ-190LR) Hunnu Air
August 2nd and 7th: Chubu Centrair International Airport
Vietnam Airlines Airbus A321-200 “Registration number: VN-A356.”
This aircraft was previously operated by Cambodia Angkor Air from 2019 to 2020, and is currently flown by Vietnam Airlines while retaining its original livery. When it visited Japan in April (refer to the third photo), part of the engine cowling displayed Vietnam Airlines branding; however, during this visit, the radome on the nose was also updated with the airline’s livery.
© FlyTeam hide737
Chubu Centrair International Airport Photographed on August 2, 2024 VN-A356 Airbus A321-231 Vietnam Airlines
© FlyTeam Doggers
Chubu Centrair International Airport Photographed on August 7, 2024 VN-A356 Airbus A321-231 Vietnam Airlines
© FlyTeam Itazuke Kamaboko
The flight occurred in April this year at Fukuoka Airport, photographed on April 26, 2024. VN-A356 Airbus A321-231 Vietnam Airlines
August 3rd, Narita Airport
Icelandair Boeing 757-200 “Registration: TF-LLL.”
An Icelandair 757, a familiar sight on its global tours, arrived from Anchorage, USA, and departed for Shanghai (Pudong) on the 6th. The aircraft also visited Narita in June, showcasing a solid history of flights to Japan.
© FlyTeam Haruru-camera
Narita International Airport Photographed on August 3, 2024 TF-LLL Boeing 757-256 Icelandair
August 3rd: Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
Omega Air Boeing 707-300 “Registration number: N707GF.”
OMEGA Aerial Refueling Services, a provider of aerial refueling for the U.S. military, dispatched a veteran 707 to Futenma Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture. In February, the company’s DC-10 also visited Kadena Air Base in the same prefecture, and this trip likely involved aerial refueling services as well.
© FlyTeam YS-11
Photographed at Futenma Air Base on August 3, 2024 Boeing 707-3K1C Omega Air
© FlyTeam YS-11
Photographed at Futenma Air Base on August 5, 2024 Boeing 707-3K1C Omega Air
August 3rd, Narita Airport
Fiji Airways Airbus A330-200 “Registration: DQ-FJT.”
Previously, flights between Narita Airport and Nadi primarily occurred at night; however, changes in the flight schedule now allow daytime arrivals and departures, with flights landing in the early morning and leaving in the evening.
© FlyTeam Haruru-camera
Narita International Airport Photographed on August 3, 2024 DQ-FJT Airbus A330-243 Fiji Airways
August 4th, New Chitose Airport
Cebu Pacific Airbus A320-200 “Registration number: RP-C4263.”
The newest addition to the airline’s fleet, an A320, arrived at New Chitose Airport en route to the ferry, previously operated by Virgin America and Alaska Airlines, and arriving from Anchorage.
© FlyTeam ER
New Chitose Airport August 4, 2024 Airbus A320 Cebu Pacific Air
August 6th to 8th, Misawa Air Base
Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon “Registration number: MM7346.”
Italian Air Force F-35A Lightning II “Registration: 3219.”
Italian Air Force Gulfstream G550 “Registration number: MM62293.”
Italian Air Force C-130J Hercules “Registration: MM62195.”
Italian Air Force Boeing KC-767 “Registration: MM62228 & MM62229.”
A significant number of Italian Air Force aircraft arrived at Misawa Air Base (Aomori Prefecture) for a joint exercise called “Rising Sun 24” conducted with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Alongside the Italian aircraft, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s F-35As and KC-767s also participated.
[Related Article:Japanese and Italian F-35s to perform together at Misawa! Joint training “Rising Sun 24” to be held in August]
© FlyTeam norimoto
Misawa Air Base, August 6, 2024 Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon, Italian Air Force
© FlyTeam Kuma-san
Misawa Air Base, August 6, 2024 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, Italian Air Force
© FlyTeam Jeek.
Misawa Air Base, August 8, 2024 Gulfstream G500/G550 (GV) Italian Air Force
© FlyTeam wingace752
Misawa Air Base, August 8, 2024 Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules, Italian Air Force
© FlyTeam Jeek.
Misawa Air Base, August 8, 2024 MM62228 Boeing KC-767A (767-2EY/ER) Italian Air Force
© FlyTeam Jeek.
Misawa Air Base, August 8, 2024 MM62229 Boeing KC-767A (767-2EY/ER) Italian Air Force
August 8th, Haneda Airport
Swiss Air Force Falcon 900 aircraft registration: T-785.
A Swiss Air Force Falcon landed at Haneda Airport. This visit is likely linked to the Swiss President’s concurrent trip to Japan.
© FlyTeam KAZFLYER
Haneda Airport, August 8, 2024, T-785 Dassault Falcon 900EXE, Swiss Air Force
August 8th, Chubu Centrair International Airport
Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350-900 “Registration number: JA10XJ.”
Following a sudden thunderstorm in the Tokyo metropolitan area on the night of the 7th, ground operations at Haneda Airport were suspended, complicating the acceptance of arriving flights. Each airline’s schedule was significantly disrupted, leading to numerous diversions to other airports. JAL’s A350-900, which typically does not operate to Centrair, arrived from New Chitose Airport in the early morning hours, and after terminating its operations, it departed for Haneda shortly after noon the next day.
© FlyTeam January Mansatsu
Chubu Centrair International Airport Photographed on August 8, 2024 JA10XJ Airbus A350-941 Japan Airlines
August 8th, Yokota Air Base
French Air Force Airbus A330-200MRTT “Registration: F-UJCM.”
A French Air Force A330-200MRTT, used for aerial refueling and transport, arrived at the U.S. Yokota Air Base (Tokyo) on the evening of the 5th, departing in the afternoon of the 8th.
© FlyTeam Bokuchan-san
Yokota Air Base, August 8, 2024 F-UJCM Airbus A330-243/MRTT French Air Force
August 8th, Fukuoka Airport
Omni Air International Boeing 777-200ER “Registration number: N828AX.”
A charter flight, reportedly for the U.S. military, landed at Fukuoka Airport. This aircraft has been in operation with Kenya Airways since 2005 and has been with Omni Air International since 2017, featuring 381 economy class seats.
© FlyTeam Special Express 7032M
Fukuoka Airport Photographed on August 8, 2024 N828AX Boeing 777-2U8/ER Omni Air International
This article has highlighted several notable aircraft. We look forward to seeing what specially painted and rare aircraft will take to the skies next week. Why not visit your nearest airport to watch the planes?
Aircraft Highlights from Japanese Airports: August 2-8, 2024
Noteworthy Aircraft Sightings
Throughout the week of August 2 to 8, 2024, several remarkable aircraft graced Japanese airports, including military jets, commercial airliners, and hybrid aircraft. This article covers key highlights from these special aviation events across various airports.
Fukuoka Airport: Flights and Highlights
August 2nd and 6th: Hunnu Air Embraer ERJ190
Hunnu Air’s Embraer ERJ190 with registration JU-8811 conducted a charter flight between Fukuoka and Ulaanbaatar, marking its return to the airport after a decade.
© FlyTeam Special Express 7032M
Fukuoka Airport – Embraer ERJ-190-100 LR (ERJ-190LR) Hunnu Air
© FlyTeam So-tan
Fukuoka Airport – Embraer ERJ-190-100 LR (ERJ-190LR) Hunnu Air
Chubu Centrair International Airport: Visits and Changes
August 2nd and 7th: Vietnam Airlines Airbus A321-200
The Airbus A321-200 operated by Vietnam Airlines, registration VN-A356, flew to Japan flaunting its original livery while continuing its service history.
© FlyTeam hide737
Chubu Centrair International Airport – Airbus A321-231 Vietnam Airlines
© FlyTeam Doggers
Chubu Centrair International Airport – Airbus A321-231 Vietnam Airlines
Narita Airport: International Arrivals
August 3rd: Icelandair Boeing 757-200
The Icelandair Boeing 757-200, registration TF-LLL, made a routine stop at Narita during its journey from Anchorage to Shanghai. This aircraft is well-known for its global routes.
© FlyTeam Haruru-camera
Narita International Airport – Boeing 757-256 Icelandair
August 3rd: Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
Omega Air’s Boeing 707-300, registration N707GF, provided aerial refueling services for the U.S. military at Futenma Air Base.
© FlyTeam YS-11
Futenma Air Base – Boeing 707-3K1C Omega Air
Military Exercises and Notable Landings
August 6th-8th: Misawa Air Base
During the joint exercise “Rising Sun 24” between the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Italian Air Force, various fighter aircraft such as Eurofighter Typhoons and F-35As were on display.
© FlyTeam norimoto
Misawa Air Base – Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon
Aircraft Spotting Table
| Date | Airport | Aircraft | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2 | Fukuoka | Embraer ERJ190 | JU-8811 |
| August 3 | Narita | Boeing 757-200 | TF-LLL |
| August 6 | Misawa | Eurofighter Typhoon | MM7346 |
| August 8 | Haneda | Falcon 900 | T-785 |
Rare Sightings and Special Flights
August 8th: Unique Landings
Both the Japanese and French Air Forces showcased aircraft such as an A330-200MRTT and a special JAL A350-900 that had to divert to Centrair due to weather conditions at Haneda.
© FlyTeam January Mansatsu
Chubu Centrair – Airbus A350-941 Japan Airlines
Upcoming Aviation Events
Be aware of upcoming aviation events and noteworthy arrivals to Japanese airports as the summer season continues. Check your local airport schedules and consider planning a visit for aircraft spotting.
