Japan Introduces New Regulations
Beginning on March 15, 2019, for Charter flights, and on March 30, 2019, for Private flights, Japan will begin requiring two new signed documents from operators wishing to conduct flights to 31 airports in the country. The first document is the Statement to Prevent Objects Falling off Airplanes and the second is the Memorandum of Agreement on Relief for Damage caused by Falling Objects from Aircraft.
These are operator specific documents and, once signed and submitted, they remain in effect until the operator makes a written request to annul them. A signed copy of the first document can be sent electronically to a qualified ground handling agent in Japan who will ensure it is filed with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
However, for the second document, an original signed version is required to be filed with MLIT and will need to be mailed. Some ground handlers are prepared to sign this document on the operators’ behalf if a representative of the operator signs a Power of Attorney allowing them to do so. This will alleviate waiting for the original document to be mailed which could potentially delay a trip.
Exemptions
- Medevac flights
- Aircraft with an MTOW less than 5700 kgs
Incidents of Falling Objects
Japan began taking actions in March 2018 to establish enhanced measures to prevent objects falling off airplanes that consists of various stakeholders such as airlines, maintenance organizations, and aircraft manufacturers.
These measures have been put into effect due to public outcry based on the rising number of objects falling from aircraft in Japan. Most notable were an incident in 2017 where a 4.3 kg panel fell from a commercial aircraft onto a car in Osaka, and an aircraft engine failure in Kumamoto that sent more than 100 metallic fragments onto the ground, houses, and cars.
Contact Information
World Fuel Global Trip Support
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