Bilateral air services agreements and consultations
International air transport is essential for international movement of persons and goods. An important issue for air transport is to ensure international routes and capacity which adequately meet the users' needs. Consultations with other countries concerning air services have been conducted diligently in order to further expand international aviation network and promote competition based on equitable opportunities through increasing of points and capacity, establishment and expansion of code share arrangements or new air services agreements. Japan has concluded bilateral agreements on international air services with 55 countries and 1 region. In 2006 fiscal year, it had a total of 12 bilateral consultations with 12 countries and discussed points and capacity to be added.
The current situation of international transport : passenger
The passenger demand for international air travel in Japan have always been increasing, and the number of passengers has reached a record high in FY2012.
However , temporary drops were seen after 2001 in the occurrence of the terrorism, dispute, an economic recession, and the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The current situation of international transport : freight
The total amount of the international freight handled at airports in Japan was approximately 3,260 thousand tons in 2004 fiscal year, and 3,185 in 2005 fiscal year. The handling to and from Asian nations accounts for approximately 60% of all. Especially, there is a significant increase from China.
With regard to the international freight carried by Japanese Airlines, the total (amount of the international freight handled at airports in Japan) was approximately 1,273 thousand tons, gradually increasing in recent years.