A dedicated business aviation terminal will open at Tokyo Narita International Airport this Saturday, airport officials told AIN at ABACE 2012. Called Premier Gate, the new facility is close to Narita’s Terminal 2 and features co-located customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) facilities and a private lounge for departing and arriving passengers.

Premier Gate represents just one step in a detailed plan by Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (CAB) to promote business aviation in Japan, explained Yukiyoshi Noguchi of the CAB’s aviation strategy division. This includes addressing issues that the CAB identified as inhibiting business aviation in Japan, including the lack of takeoff and landing slots, no exclusive passenger facilities, few parking spots, complicated CIQ procedures and lack of service and support.

In addition to Premier Gate, Narita officials have increased the number of available slots and parking spots for business aircraft. And there are plans to bring concierge services to Premier Gate as well, said Shinichiro Motomiya, senior manager of Narita’s strategies and planning department. These services include duty-free sales, currency exchange and catering.