On November 18, Hulic and Japan Airlines (JAL) held a site tour of "WING NRT," an international logistics hub under development in the Shimofukuda district of Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, and explained the progress of the construction work.
The plan involves developing an integrated aviation warehouse (bonded warehouse) and logistics facility on a vast site of approximately 450,000 square meters, about a 15-minute drive from Narita International Airport. The aim is to have the facility operational in the spring of 2029, coinciding with the expected increase in international cargo demand following the construction of a third runway at the airport.
<Approximately 45 m2 of land and construction work>
The development site was acquired by Hulic, and construction work began in January 2025. Currently, excavation and embankment work is underway, and it is expected that the site preparation will be completed around March 2027, after which construction work, which will last approximately two years, will begin.
<Perspective rendering>
"WING NRT" is a name that combines the initials of Worldwide-cargo Innovation Gate, which evokes images of aircraft, with the airport code for Narita. It will be Japan's first international logistics hub with an adjacent warehouse building and logistics building.
The warehouse building is planned to be approximately 150,000 square meters, and the logistics building will consist of two to three buildings, totaling nearly 300,000 square meters. JAL will lease one warehouse building from Hulic and will provide end-to-end support for air cargo, including customs clearance and quarantine.
Hulic and JAL are also preparing to jointly establish an operating company by 2026 to centrally manage the entire district, including building management and leasing.
<Map of the surrounding area>
Its location is notable for its excellent access to Narita International Airport. Currently, it's about a 15-minute drive, but the opening of the Kita-Chiba Expressway will shorten this to about 10 minutes.
In terms of securing personnel, the area is within commuting distance not only of Narita City but also of Ibaraki Prefecture, making it possible to recruit from a wide area. Shuttle buses will be operated from major train stations.
The aim is to complement the functions of Narita International Airport, connect Japan with the world as a hub in East Asia, and strengthen international competitiveness as an import/export base for electronic components, pharmaceuticals, agricultural and marine products, and cross-border e-commerce.
<Mr. Kurobe, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Hulic>
At the site tour, Miki Kurobe, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Hulic, revealed that the total project cost for the land and buildings would amount to several hundred billion yen, and stated, "We want to appeal to customers with a package of services that can be offered at 'WING NRT,' and proceed with the plan so that the completion of the facility and tenant occupancy will occur at the same time."
<JAL's Fujimoto, Group Leader, Business Project Management Group, Development Group>
Furthermore, Toshihide Fujimoto, Group Leader of the Development Group and Business Project Management Group at JAL Cargo and Mail Headquarters' Business Promotion Department, cited the aging and cramped conditions of the six cargo facilities dispersed in the northern area of Narita International Airport as a challenge. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "By having the warehouse building and the logistics building adjacent to each other, the speed of imports and exports will increase dramatically. We also want to promote mechanization and labor saving by introducing the latest material handling equipment."
■Project Overview
Location: Shimofukuda area, Narita City, Chiba Prefecture
Total land area: Approximately 45 m2 (approximately 13.6 tsubo)
Building area (planned): Total approximately 42 m2 (approximately 13 tsubo), superstructure facilities approximately 15 m2 (4.5 tsubo)
Opening date: Scheduled for 2029
