Change.org
No New Haneda Flight Paths above Us
Please help us with your signature here. http://chng.it/2YbyQCG8
[ from YouTube ] Oct.15,2020
Here is a short video made by a person who's noticed that quite a few people still don't have any idea regarding the new route.
Despite a number of issues and dissenting opinions, the dangers lurking in the new Haneda route, which began operation in April this year, are clearly expressed succinctly.
Bloomberg Apr.17.2020
The Future of Travel in the Covid Era:what you need to know
Here’s What You Do With Two-Thirds of the World’s Jets When They Can’t Fly
The skies are eerily empty these days, presenting a new challenge for the world’s embattled airlines as they work to safeguard thousands of grounded planes parked wingtip to wingtip on runways and in storage facilities. -cont'd-
the Japan Times MAR 28, 2020
Flying low: The problems with new flight routes to Haneda Airport
[Translation]
March 12, 2020
Mr. Akaba of Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Request for a suspension of new Haneda Flight Path
We hereby request a temporary suspension of the new Haneda Flight Path operations from March 29, 2020 for the following reasons.
The takeoff and landing operations as planned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) have the following problems:
a) This new operation of the airport is unprecedented globally in terms of taking off and landing over a city center. The possibility of serious accidents in crowded areas of the city and the acceleration of environmental deterioration are anticipated and unfortunately, no emergency management system has been established.
b) The risk of falling objects and noise along the flight paths are very serious.
c) Various promises for safety and environmental protection previously exchanged with local governments were abolished by MLITT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).
d) The schedule seems to have been set from the outset was carried out without a complete explanation or agreement with local citizens.
e) A significant increase of flights is not realized by the planned new flight paths and there may be alternative methods to achieve the same objectives.
f) The 3.45°descent approach suddenly announced as a noise countermeasure has little effect and actually raises operational risk.
g) Based upon these new flight paths, we cannot see the overall fundamental vision for the long-term enhancement of airport functions in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Japan. We have to clearly state that this is not the right plan to comprehensively balance the merits and demerits.
For the above reasons, we have been continuously and strongly demanding a realistic review of the plan. Trial runs on the new flight paths were conducted from 30 January to 12 February and again multiple problems were evident.
On 19 February at a lecture between bipartisan parliamentarians and the MLITT which we also attended; the various problems were discussed.
At that time, concerns were raised regarding the 3.45-degree descent angle. The IFALPA (International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations) had already identified this issue on 20 January. It is also reported that the same concerns were advised by the IATA (International Air Transport Association) when they visited the MLITT during January 2020. It has also been indicated that the descent angle will be steeper during summer.
On 4 March you, the Minister met with JAL and ANA pilots. It is said that you have received a request for a safer entry approach. Thus, the issue of 3.45-degree approach is now highlighted as a strong concern of pilots and the entire aviation industry.
Therefore, we strongly request that the operation from 29 March shall be suspended. In the meantime, we suggest that you confirm the various problems and develop appropriate solutions.
Needless to say, we are opposing the new flight paths themselves, but we separately believe that it is too reckless and dangerous to proceed with the current plan while such issues are known just prior to the launch of these new paths.
We understand that our desired changes in flight schedules need to be re-announced in advance by the AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) in principle. However, we believe that the operation is temporarily possible through ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) as these issues are international concerns.
Additionally, the world now is facing a coronavirus pandemic. The number of foreign visitors to Japan and Japanese traveling abroad as well as domestic air travel in Japan is drastically decreasing. This is unfortunate and we hope that the recovery will be made as soon as possible including economic activity as well as the health and security of the people. Under the current situation, we would stress the consideration of temporarily ceasing operations and carefully reconsidering the new Haneda flight paths based upon the current decrease in aviation demand.