The operator of Narita Airport, near Tokyo, says applications for new international flights cannot be fully met because of a shortage of ground staff.

Airport officials said on Thursday they carried out a survey on the impact of the labor shortage amid the rise in inbound foreign tourists following the pandemic. They said overseas airlines are hoping for a total of 152 new and additional flights per week. They added that only about two-thirds of that number will likely be accepted by the end of March, even though there are enough flight slots.

Airport ground staff numbers have fallen nearly 15 percent in Japan from four years ago due to the downturn in travel during the pandemic.

The labor union at a major firm providing ground handling services has said it would reject overtime work from December. But the company says effects on aviation services will likely be avoided through negotiations.