Airport News Japan

Agreement on Aviation Liberalization between Japan & Canada - New Flights to Haneda and Increased Flight Volume to Narita

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The advertisement of the new international terminal at Haneda Airport.

On April 6, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced that Japan has come to an agreement during bilateral talks with Canadian aviation authorities to liberalize the industry between the two countries.

Other than flights arriving at and departing from Haneda and Narita Airports, destinations, routes and flight volume between the two countries will be liberalized, with airlines from both allowed to operate direct flights from Japanese airports outside the Tokyo metropolitan area to destinations in North America without restriction. Japan has now achieved aviation liberalization with eight countries and regions under the government’s Asian Gateway Initiative, which aims to construct an open economic system through which people, goods, funds, culture and information flow. Canada marks the first such agreement made with a partner outside Asia.

The agreement also permits the opening of routes between Haneda Airport and Canada. This will establish a time slot for one daily flight per airline from either country during the late-night or early morning hours (between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.) after Haneda’s Runway 4 is open for use in October 2010. With service to the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Toronto, a framework will be established for the first North American routes out of Haneda during these hours.

The two countries have also agreed to add one weekly flight during the summer after Narita Airport expands the number of time for slots for arrivals and departures in March 2010. New service to Calgary, Canada is planned.

MLIT is engaged in various undertakings, including its continued negotiations on liberalization with other countries and regions in Western countries.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)