Representatives of foreign airlines operating in Japan called for public support on Tuesday to reduce the country's aviation-related fees, which they claim far exceed the level of other major international airports.
Members of the Foreign Airlines Association in Japan urged the country to halve such aviation costs as landing fees and rents at airport buildings from current levels.
As an example, the members pointed out that the overall fee for landing a Boeing 747-400 at New Tokyo International Airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, is $11,807, in contrast to $4,361 in New York City and $6,685 in Paris.
In the past, airlines managed to absorb such high landing costs by passing them onto customers through higher air fares protected under heavy regulations.
During the past decade, however, air fares have substantially declined amid intensifying competition due to government deregulation, they said.
As a result, it is becoming difficult for airlines to maintain a reasonable cost-profit structure, forcing some carriers to withdraw from the Japanese market, they said.
"Many carriers, including Japanese carriers, have difficulty in making profits here. We feel it is necessary to try to reduce the large operating costs," said Michael Whitehead, FAAJ's secretary and regional manager at Cathay Pacific Airways.
The FAAJ submitted its position paper, titled "The Sky-High Cost of Civil Aviation in Japan," to the Transport Ministry last week and is seeking public support for their drive, the members said.
The FAAJ was founded last month by more than 40 foreign carriers who operate inside and outside the country, so they can voice their opinions to the government and the public.