History
Okadama was constructed between 1942 and 1944 as an airfield for the Imperial Japanese Army. Following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945, ending World War II, the United States Army Air Force took over the airfield, holding it until the end of the US occupation in 1952. Following the occupation, the field reverted to the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Civilian passenger operations began in 1956. Toa Domestic Airlines (later Japan Air System) and All Nippon Airways operated propeller service at the airport through the mid-1970s, chiefly using NAMC YS-11 turboprops, but gradually transferred domestic operations to New Chitose Airport which was better equipped to handle larger jet aircraft. In 1974, Toa ceased operations at Okadama and ANA established a new subsidiary, Air Nippon, to handle YS-11 flights at the airport. ANA later replaced its YS-11s with quieter Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops.
ANA ceased Okadama operations in 2010, leaving JAL affiliate Hokkaido Air System as the airport's only scheduled carrier. HAS continues to serve the airport using Saab 340 turboprops.
Read more about this topic: Okadama Airport
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