The arrangement is the first of its kind to be signed between Japan and a Southeast Asian nation
On 23 December 2022, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) signed a high-level strategic framework arrangement to collaborate on civil aviation as the two major air hubs of the Asia-Pacific region emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the framework arrangement, the two civil aviation authorities will work together on six key areas to rebuild their aviation sectors and position themselves for future opportunities, in partnership with their respective aviation and aerospace industries and companies. These six key areas are air transport, aviation sustainability, aviation safety, air traffic management, airport innovation and technology, and unmanned aircraft systems, and advanced air mobility.
The framework arrangement, which is the first of its kind signed between Japan and a Southeast Asian nation, was signed by Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS and Mr Toshiyuki Onuma, Assistant Vice Minister for International Aviation, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) in Tokyo, Japan.
Under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to establish the higher-level strategic bilateral framework for civil aviation cooperation between Singapore and Japan, CAAS and JCAB will collaborate and share expertise in six areas of mutual interest:
1. Air Transport
a. Enhance air connectivity between Singapore and Japan
b. Establish knowledge exchange in areas such as economic regulation, airport and airline developments and consumer protection
c. Facilitate greater cooperation between airlines of both countries
2. Aviation Sustainability
a. Establish knowledge exchange in areas such as the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the ICAO Long Term Global Aspirational Goal for International Aviation and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
b. Study on developing “green lanes” between Singapore and Japan to encourage the gradual uptake of SAF-operated flights
c. Knowledge exchange on jobs and skills transformation needed for the creation of new jobs in sustainable aviation
3. Aviation Safety
a. Enhance each other safety inspectors’ competencies in evaluating the effectiveness of service providers’ safety management systems (SMS) through joint SMS assessment exercises
b. Share experiences and exchange learning points in the development and implementation of State Safety Programmes, including voluntary reporting systems
4. Air Traffic Management (ATM)
a. Deepen cooperation to enhance air traffic flow management, information management, performance benchmarking, trajectory-based operations and sustainable CNS/ATM
b. Pursue “green ATM operations” between Singapore and Japan
5. Airport Innovation and Technology
a. Establish knowledge exchange on innovative technologies at airports to improve and achieve service, manpower and sustainability goals;
b. Establish knowledge exchange on the regulatory and safety frameworks for supporting implementation of innovative technologies
c. Establish new areas of collaboration and knowledge exchange including supporting technological trials to facilitate hydrogen fuel cell powered airside ground vehicles and refueling options
6. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS”) and Advanced Air Mobility (“AAM”)
a. Collaborate on the development of policies, regulatory requirements, standards and technical references for UAS and AAM in the areas of safe operation, traffic management, as well as vertiport standards.
Extensive air connectivity between Singapore and Japan continues to drive strong travel demands between the two air hubs. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, passenger movements between Singapore and Japan reached a historic high of 3.4 million, with over 200 weekly passenger services between Singapore and seven Japanese cities. Passenger traffic between Singapore and Japan has recovered to about 50% of pre-COVID levels and is expected to further increase in 2023.
Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS said: “Singapore is honored to be the first Southeast Asian nation Japan signs a high-level strategic framework arrangement on aviation cooperation with. It bears testament to the strong economic and people-to-people ties between our two countries and our shared interest to expand air links between ourselves, and beyond, which will provide travelers more options and help boost air travel in the region. The framework arrangement will also help us leverage complementary strengths in our respective public and private sectors to seize new opportunities in sustainability, technology and innovation.”
Mr Toshiyuki Onuma, Assistant Vice-Minister for International Aviation, MLIT, said: “The comprehensive framework arrangement in the civil aviation field which Japan and Singapore have just signed is the landmark of the history of civil aviation relations between the two countries. I believe that such an arrangement is crucial for the never-ending development of bilateral ties for the future, especially in the fluctuating situation worldwide, which the aviation industry of both sides is now facing. In particular, regarding aviation sustainability, the framework arrangement will accelerate and facilitate both parties’ efforts for aviation decarbonization, such as the expansion of development and deployment of SAF, including the study for developing “Singapore-Japan Green Lane”, toward the realization of 2050 net-zero emission long-term aspirational goal established by ICAO.”
