Yao Airport
Yao Airport is a general aviation airport in Yao, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Located southeast of Ōsaka Station, it is also a home for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Middle Army Aviation Group, Osaka Prefectural Police Aviation Corps, and Osaka Municipal Fire Department Helicopter Unit.
Several small carriers, including Asahi Airlines and Hankyu Airlines, offer sightseeing and charter flights from Yao.
Yao is the only Regional/Second Class airport in Japan without scheduled airline services.
History
The airport started as Hanshin Aviation School in 1938. Two years later, the airfield was seized by the army as the Taishō Airfield and expanded. After World War II, the occupation forces called it the Hanshin Airfield before it was returned to Japanese control.Operations
Self-Defense Forces
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force operates a base at the airport, JGSDF Camp Yao. Units based at Camp Yao include:- Middle Army Aviation Group units :
- *Middle Army Aviation Group HQ
- *Middle Army Helicopters - UH-1 and OH-1 transport/observation helicopters
- *Middle Army Air Traffic Control and Weather
- *Middle Army Air Fleet Maintenance
- 3rd Aviation Group - UH-1 and OH-6 transport/observation helicopters