The 49th G7 Summit will be held May 19-21, 2023 in Hiroshima, Japan. This event will bring significant business aviation traffic to Japan, which is already struggling to keep up with demand due to supply chain and staffing shortages.

Hiroshima Airport (RJOA) and Kansai International Airport (RJBB) have announced flight restrictions.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re operating a business jet to the Summit or will be in Japan during this period.

About the G7 Summit

The G7 summit is an annual meeting of leaders from seven advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They discuss global issues, including economic policy, security, climate change, and development. The group was formed in 1975 as the G6 and Canada joined the following year. The European Union began attending in 1977. The summit is hosted in a rotating manner.

Airport Options

Hiroshima Airport (RJOA)

The primary airport for government state/chartered flights attending the G7 Summit is Hiroshima Airport (RJOA).

Restrictions

From May 17-23, 2023, RJOA is closed except for government state/chartered flights arranged through diplomatic channels.

Any aircraft already parked at RJOA but not there for the G7 Summit must depart by May 18^th. As the airport is small, most aircraft will need to park at other airports. Japan will designate alternate parking airports for aircraft at RJBB.

For the period of the G7 Summit the airport will only accept approved international GA traffic from 0830-1700 local, which is when CIQ is available. Any operations outside of these hours must be approved in advance by CIQ.

Distance to City Center

RJOA is 31.9 miles and 55 minutes travel time from central Hiroshima.

Slots and PPR

Slots are required for all arrivals and departures. No PPR is required.

Parking

Overnight parking is available with a max stay of 72 hours.

Kansai International Airport (RJBB)

Universal Aviation Japan – Osaka can support your mission and help secure parking at RJBB for your mission to the G7 Summit.

The other Japanese airport with restrictions is Kansai International Airport (RJBB) in Osaka, Japan.

Operating Restrictions & Parking

Due to overnight parking for government state/chartered flight in RJBB, from May 17-24, 2023:

1. The possibility of GA (general aviation) operations at RJBB during this period cannot be confirmed until shortly before the period begins. Depending on the availability of parking spaces at RJBB, it may be necessary to tow aircraft to different parking positions at various times. It is also possible that parking may not be available at all during this period.
2. Due to a lack of parking, it may not be possible to make schedule changes during this period.
3. Even if a flight schedule is confirmed for a time outside of this period, it may not be possible to change it to a time during this period due to the lack of parking availability.

Distance to Hiroshima City Center

The distance between Kansai International Airport (RJBB) and central Hiroshima city is approximately 375 kilometers (233 miles) when traveling by road or rail. The travel time by Shinkansen bullet train from Hiroshima Station to Shin-Osaka Station, which is the closest Shinkansen station to Kansai International Airport, is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Hours and CIQ

RJBB is open 24-7 with 24/ CIQ.

Slots and PPR

Slots are required for arrival and departure. Slot tolerance at RJBB is between 00-59 of each hour. No PPR is required.

Current Capacity Issues in Japan

Due to the recent uptick and surge in demand combined with a nationwide shortage of workers, airports across Japan are at capacity, and some requests are being denied.

This workforce situation is significantly impacting airports, service providers, and handlers throughout the country.

Until the supply chain and labor market issues can catch up to demand, it’s imperative that you submit any requests for Japan travel early. Our Universal Aviation Japan team is working diligently to overcome the challenges, but many of the current issues such as limited airport services, slots, parking, etc., are entirely outside of our hands, making each handling more complex and time-consuming.

Work with your Universal Trip Support team on your best options for trips to Japan. The sooner you can start the better.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the G7 summit will result in heavy restrictions at airports in the region, including RJOA and RJBB. Operators planning to use these airports during the summit period should plan their missions well in advance and work closely with Universal Aviation Japan to ensure smooth operations. The restrictions may include limited parking availability, changes to flight schedules, and other security measures. By working with a trusted local partner like Universal Aviation Japan, operators can navigate these restrictions and ensure successful operations during this busy period.