New flight paths to Haneda will cross over central Tokyo

But local governments of areas under the new flight paths have called for the state to continue efforts to reduce aircraft noise. The ministry said it will keep dialogue open with local residents to ensure the changes are introduced smoothly.

AKA as spending more money (taxes) to deal with the problem! The ONLY way to reduce the noise is to not fly over these areas, and since that is not an option, they WILL have to pay the price of installing sound reducing equipment to all the people affected!

The map shows that my gaff is just outside the affected zone. Score!

The ministry released the new flight route plan in 2014. Since then, it has compiled measures to tackle noise and objects that could fall from aircraft and held briefing sessions with local residents.

"Objects that could fall from aircraft"! Are they referring to the occasional "blue ice" chunks that have been known to land in people's yards, or are they talking about engine parts, and possibly entire aircraft?

With the introduction of the new paths, the number of departures and arrivals at the airport will rise by up to 39,000 annually from the current 447,000.

I understand the upside from the viewpoint of the airlines, the transport ministry, and the tourist industry, but the downside will be a public relations nightmare.

I live in Shinjuku, which is directly under one of the new flight paths. Shinjuku has all those sky scrapers and is one of the most densely populated areas in Tokyo. This is a disaster waiting to happen. I will join the protest movement.

Is this just to handle the extra flights during the Olympics, or is this supposed to be something permanent?

Well, Tokyoites can't complain about Narita being out in the middle of nowhere, and then when the government tries to increase more convenient flights into Haneda, turn around and complain about airplane noise. You can't have it both ways. Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Shinjuku etc. are already so loud anyway I doubt that anyone will notice the noise after a day or two.

This is no different to planes flying over other major cities is it?

Hope all those people who cry about the dangers of aircraft flying o We cities when it’s the IS military voice their concerns here as well, since they claim it’s about safety.

ahm? these are old news... and the flight routes already in use on certain days and while specific winds... between 5-6 pm you can see airplanes follow yamate dori to shibuya ... would love to fly one of those

Seriously, I don't get why people are complaining.

I mean, its not like this is unique to Tokyo.

How many have flown into / out of La Guardia in NYC?? The flight paths inevitably involve vectoring over Manhattan.

Or Hong Kong? How many times have departing flights from Chep Lap Kok resulted in a flight path right over Central, with the beautiful views that accompany it.

Seriously, with most planes now equipped with quiet engines, once a plane is above 1,000 feet or so, the noise on the ground is minimal.

The city is already full of noise pollution. Airplanes flying overhead will hardly even be noticed. Just relax people.

One good thing is that the airplanes will fly over Tokyo City Hall, so the mayor will be hearing airplane noise all day. Maybe she will have something to say about this, and put an end to it.

Haneda is certainly a convenient airport. I just hope there isn't an accident... it's bad enough with all the helicopters flying around, and now commercial airliners... but wait for the introduction of flying Cars....