Updated Aug. 22, 2019
The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has released slot coordination guidelines for the six airports that will handle general and business aviation aircraft flying to Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, which will be held July 24-Aug. 9 and Aug. 25-Sept. 6, respectively.
Three of the airports are in the Tokyo area: Haneda International Airport (RJTT/NHD), which is a 15 to 40 minute drive to the city center; Narita International Airport (RJAA/NRT), which is a one to 1.5 hour drive to central Tokyo; and Ibaraki Airport (RJAH/IBR), which is 50 miles northeast of Tokyo. Due to parking space limitations at these airports, aircraft will be allowed a maximum of three hours on the ground.
The other three airports are: Chubu Centrair International Airport (RJGG/NGO) in Nagoya, which is 174 miles west of Tokyo; Sendai Airport (RJSS/SDJ), which is 186 miles northeast of Tokyo; and New Chitose Airport (RJCC/CTS), which is 510 miles north of Tokyo.
“As we have seen at other Olympic venues, local authorities will seek to distribute business aviation operations to a variety of airports,” said Doug Carr, vice president of regulatory and international affairs. “The other airports beyond Tokyo identified by JCAB may provide additional options for operators seeking longer visits to Japan.”
NBAA members are urged to begin planning their flights to Japan now if they intend to support the games or have business in the region. While Japan is relatively straightforward to deal with in terms of permits, operations and access, its airports are congested and have a limited number of parking spots and runway departure and takeoff slots.
“Even though the 2020 games are a year away, it is not too early for NBAA members to start making their flight arrangements for this well-attended event,” Carr said. “Tokyo’s limited capacity for business aviation aircraft means that those who reserve early have the best chance of securing what they want.”
NBAA is working closely with the Japan Business Aviation Association, a member of the International Business Aviation Council, to stay up to date on the latest official flight information.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.