New high-speed rail link for Tokyo airport

Keisei Skyliner has announced a major upgrade in its services from central Tokyo to Tokyo's international airport, Narita.

From 2010, the Narita Express (operated by Keisei), one of the main transportation between the airport and the city, will shorten its travel time to just over 30 minutes.

The new model Skyliner cars will run at 160 km/h on newly laid special high-speed tracks, the fastest in Japan (apart from the Shinkansen bullet trains).

This will cut the current journey time by 15 minutes, connecting Narita with Tokyo in only 36 minutes.

A new terminal is also scheduled to open in Nippori (about ten minutes from Tokyo Station) in 2010 in conjunction with the new trains for even more convenient access.

Keisei Railway has also invited Kansai Yamamoto, one of Japan's most famous fashion designers, to look over every detail from the shape of the trains themselves to seats, luggage space and toilets for the utmost in contemporary design, functionality and passenger comfort.

For more information visit the Keisei website.

Chris O'Toole