2020 TOKYO SUMMER GAMES AND PARALYMPICS

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Preferred Ground Support Provider: Universal Aviation Japan

PRIMARY AIRPORTS

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has designated six primary airports for this event.

All will be official ports of entry and all will be level 3, slot-managed, from July 2020 through September 2020. Fast lane, welcome reception desks and special security services will be available at all airports to help expedite traffic.

TOKYO METRO-AREA AIRPORTS

The three designated Tokyo-metro area airports are:

All private operators can apply for slots at the three Tokyo-metro area airports, starting Dec. 1, 2019 through Feb. 10, 2020. When applying at these airports, operators cannot designate which airport. Japanese CAA will automatically assign slots.

It is important to note that, the majority of slots at the Tokyo airports during the peak game periods are primarily only be accessible to VIP flights, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the athletes, corporate sponsors, and other VIPs with direct ties to the Games during the peak demand periods of the games (July 17 through September 20).

You can read the full classification of VIP levels and slot access here.

If your flight is not VIP, and you’d like to apply for a slot at one of these three, you can do so, but keep in mind your chances of getting it are low, and you can’t simultaneously apply for slots at the Specially Designated Airports (see below).

When applying at the one of the Tokyo airports, you won’t be able to designate which airport. Japanese CAA will automatically assign your slot if you’re granted one.

Due to parking space limitations at all three Tokyo Metro airports, aircraft will be allowed a maximum of three hours on the ground. Some parking alternatives are Kansai (RJBB), Niigata (RJSN) and Shizuoka (RJNS).

Tokyo/Haneda International Airport

RJTT/HND

Notes:

AOE. GAT available.

VIP slots can be requested starting Dec 1.

Non-VIP slots can be requested after Feb. 10.

Aircraft are limited to 3 hours on the ground.

Contact us for assistance:

Narita International Airport

RJAA/NRT

Notes:

AOE. GAT available.

VIP slots can be requested starting Dec 1.

Non-VIP slots can be requested after Feb. 10.

Aircraft are limited to 3 hours on the ground.

Contact us for assistance:

Ibaraki Airport

RJAH/IBR

Notes:

AOE. GAT available.

VIP slots can be requested starting Dec 1.

Non-VIP slots can be requested after Feb. 10.

Aircraft are limited to 3 hours on the ground.

Contact us for assistance:

SPECIALLY-DESIGNATED AIRPORTS

The three Specially-Designated Airports are:

These airports are located outside of Tokyo and designated official ports of entry for this event.

New Chitose Airport

RJCC/CTS

Notes:

AOE.

Located 820 KM north of Tokyo

Slots can be requested starting Dec. 1.

Contact us for assistance:

Sendai Airport

RJSS/SDJ

Notes:

AOE for this period.

Located 300 KM west of Tokyo

Slots requests started Aug. 1.

Contact us for assistance:

Chubu Centrair International Airport

RJGG/NGO

Notes:

AOE.

Located 280 KM west of Tokyo

Slots requests started Aug. 1.

Contact us for assistance:

You can read special slot coordination periods for each airport here.

Classification of Peak Periods for This Event

JCAB controls the slots of the six airports from July to September, dividing the period into the following three categories. The three months will be classified in accordance with the demand predicted.

Demand Concentrated Period: July 17 through Sept. 13
Demand Peak Period:
- Opening Ceremony Periods (Olympic and Paralympic Games): July 21 – 25 and Aug. 22- 26
- Closing Ceremony Periods (Olympic and Paralympic Games): Aug. 8-10 and Sept. 5-7
Others: Basically, everything else during this three-month window: July 1 – 16 and Sept. 14 – 30.

Slot Coordination Periods

Slots requests can be submitted in the following periods.

Special Coordination Period (Dec 1, 2019 – Feb 10, 2020): The submission of Non-Scheduled Flights for both Tokyo Metropolitan Airports (RJTT/RJAA/RJAH) and Specially Designated Airports (RJGG/RJSS/RJCC) can be made during this period. Answers to these slot requests are expected to arrive Feb. 28, 2020. Non VIP (V1-3) flights will be limited to slot request for RJGG/RJSS/RJCC only during this period.
After Special Coordination (after Feb 10, 2020): Non-scheduled flight requests for the six airports will be coordinated at the JCAB Special Coordination Office if the relevant airport slot is still available. The three Tokyo Metro airports are expected to be in very high-demand. Slot requests submitted before the 20th of each month are expected to be replied to by the end of the same month. During July through September 2020, ad-hoc coordination may take place.
Scheduled Flights and Non-Scheduled Flights coordination in the other periods in 2020: Requests for Scheduled Flights and Non-Scheduled Flights coordination in the other periods in 2020 should be submitted as usual.

ADDITIONAL LOGISTICS

HANDLING, FBOs, & EQUIPMENT

There are no North American or European style fixed-base operators (FBOs) in Japan.

Ground services and support at airports throughout Japan are among the best in the world. Universal Aviation Japan can confirm ground support equipment (GSE) availability for your equipment type.

CUSTOMS

Fast lane, welcome reception desks and special security services will be available at all airports to help expedite traffic. You can review an overview of the general customs process and guidelines on our Tokyo destination guide.

PERMITS

Permit requirements for Japan have recently updated. You can review these requirements on our Tokyo destination guide.

HOTELS

As with any event of this size, hotels will be in high demand and many popular Western chains are already reporting as sold out.

If you are working with Universal® Trip Support Services, our Hotels Team may still have block reservations with various major chains available.

Contact us for assistance:

Let’s Talk

GROUND TRANSPORT

Pre-paid ground transport (with driver) is the recommended option when visiting Tokyo. Taxi drivers in this region rarely speak English. For many, rental cars are not an ideal option as most signage is in Japanese, and vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. Pick up or drop off planeside is not possible at either Tokyo airport.

Universal-Drivania Chauffeurs is our preferred provider, and you can request a free quote online.

Get a free quote

IN-FLIGHT CATERING

Catering can be sourced from in-flight caterers, hotels, and restaurants. For in-flight catering uplifts, we typically recommend allowing three days’ lead time as shorter notice may limit your options.

Note that many hotels and restaurants in the Tokyo area will not provide meals to be consumed off-site, for safety and liability reasons. So, it’s best to use in-flight catering services or to work with Universal Aviation Japan to locate a restaurant willing to provide “take-out” options.

You can also check the free Air Culinaire Worldwide Menu app to see catering options and menus available for Japan and anywhere else you fly.

Download on
Apple App Store | Google Play Store

FUEL AND CREDIT

While fuel availability and credit is very good at both Tokyo airports, it’s important to coordinate this early with your ground handler, so that manpower can be allocated and services set up. Best practice is to provide a copy of the fuel release, by email or fax, to your handler before arrival. Other forms of acceptable credit include fuel and aviation company cards. Note that fuelers do not accept cash payment. However, there is the option of paying the cash to the handler and having them extend credit for the fuel uplift.

CABOTAGE

Cabotage is not permitted in Japan, and authorities are stringent in enforcing these rules. If you plan to fly a domestic leg within Japan, you may only take passengers who arrived in Japan aboard the same aircraft. For charter flights, the names of all passengers on each flight leg must be listed in the charter contract. It’s not allowable to pick up any passenger(s) in Japan and fly them on domestic flight legs.

FLIGHT PLANNING

Flight planning for business aircraft operations in Japan is, for the most part, straight-forward. But, particular processes should be followed to avoid potential operational issues on arrival/departure. As each airport has specific procedures and local operating restrictions, it’s best to review all requirements with Universal Trip Support Team or Universal Aviation Japan.

Learn more about flight planning procedures for Japan on our blog.

REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Falling Objects AIC

As part of Japan’s efforts to prepare for the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games and to increase runway slot capacity, more flights will now be routed over Tokyo. As a result, Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has issued an AIC detailing requirements to eliminate the risk of falling objects by General Aviation operations. (Diplomatic flight or Emergency flight may be exempt to this requirement.)

New Japan Tourist Tax

The Japan International Tourist Tax went into effect on Jan. 7, 2019. The tax was levied by the Japanese National Tax Agency Ministry of Finance as part of governmental efforts to provide a permanent source of funds to expand and enhance Japan’s tourist infrastructure to make Japan the top tourist destination.

New Mandatory Luggage Inspections and Expansion of Domestic Ops Permit

Early in 2020, Japan announced increased security inspections of luggage of arrival/departing private jet passengers as well as an expansion for domestic operation permits. This blog article contains what you need to know.

We’re ready to make your next mission to Japan a success!