BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
While move is seen as positive, some call for further changes to expand country's industry
Japan has reduced its notice requirement for business aircraft landings from 10 to three days and is being pressured to further relax regulations restricting corporate aviation.
About 400 people attended a business aviation conference in Nagoya last week, which organisers say was the first such event ever held in Japan. The conference, sponsored by the US consulate, focused on the planned February 2005 opening of Nagoya's Komaki airport to business aircraft and the possibility of improved access throughout Japan.
In a keynote speech, National Business Aviation Association president Shelley Longmuir welcomed the shortening of the required notice period for landings as a "positive development". But she says more improvements are needed, including access to slots, simplification of customs procedures and the construction of fixed-base operations.
Several manufacturers and operators say Japan must lower landing fees if its business aviation industry is to expand. One operator says a Boeing Business Jet landing costs about $6,000 at major airports and $5,500 at regional airports.
Komaki airport's new owner, the Aichi prefecture, has not yet set landing fees but indicated at the conference it will consider offering a discount for business aircraft. Komaki is now owned by the federal transport ministry, but will be transferred to the local government after the Central Japan International airport opens outside Nagoya early next year.
Aichi plans to convert Komaki's domestic passenger terminal into a business aviation facility and is trying to attract corporate aircraft to offset the loss of airliners, which will shift to the new airport.
Several other regional airports will also be opened next year, which could foster growth of Japanese business aviation, especially if landing fees are reduced and regulations are relaxed. One manufacturer says the reduction in the notice requirement for landings "is a step in the right direction but three days is still not practical".
Manufacturers say airport access must be further improved to attract international operators. Last year over 30% of international business aviation flights by US companies were to Asia-Pacific, but only a small portion landed in Japan.
Longmuir is urging Japan to adopt a "deregulation plan for international business aircraft at Nagoya and other regional airports".
However, access to Tokyo is not expected to improve, with Haneda airport only open to business jets in the middle of the night. Nagoya, Japan's third largest city, hosted last week a static display featuring business aircraft from Bombardier, Gulfstream and Raytheon.
Source: Flight International
