age limit for airline pilots.

Also, a unified website Skyworks (http://www.skyworks.info) that shows the appeal of aviation related jobs was launched in December 2015 while we promote efforts in such areas as efficient pilot training by airlines, expanding the supply capacity of private sector training institutions including private universities, and further utilization of Civil Aviation College.

Furthermore, under increasing demand for pilots for ambulance, firefighting, and disaster prevention helicopters and other helicopters of highly public nature, securing helicopter pilots is an important issue. Therefore, a liaison meeting of relevant ministries was set up to discuss ideal ways of training and securing helicopter pilots, which was put together in July 2015. Based on this, the Helicopter Taskforce set up under the Aircraft Pilot Training Liaison Conference is examining specific measures including development of training programs for ambulance and other helicopter pilots with private-public sector collaboration.

## (2) Enhancement and optimization of airport operations

## (i) Driving airport management reforms

Using the Act on Operation of National Airports Utilizing Skills of the Private Sector (Private Utilizing Airport Operation Act), the MLIT is committed to driving airport management reforms at national airports and the like to suit specific local conditions through utilization of private-sector capabilities, integrated management of airline and non-airline businesses and so on in order to expand the amount of population who are engaging in domestic and international interactions, etc. on the support of the airports and thus to encourage regional revitalization.

An implementation agreement with the holder of the right to operate public facilities was concluded in December 2015 for Sendai Airport, the first project for government-managed airports, and preparation is ongoing toward the start of operation in July 2016.

## (ii) Encouraging LCC entry

An LCC originating from Japan went into service in March 2012. As of March 2016, Peach Aviation operated 14 domestic routes and ten international routes; JetStar Japan, 16 domestic routes and six international routes; Vanilla Air, three domestic routes and three international routes; and Spring Airlines, two domestic routes and two international routes. Also, AirAsia Japan is expected to start LCC flight operations (re-entry in the market by AirAsia group) in 2016.

The accelerating entry of LCCs could create new demand for aviation by attracting more tourists visiting Japan, expanding domestic tourism and so on. Government-set goals dictate that “domestic LCC passengers account for 14% of the total number of airline passengers in 2020, with international LCC passengers accounting for 17%.” Various measures have been taken by the government and at the individual airports to encourage the entry of LCCs.

Two principal governmental measures being implemented or explored are summarized below. The first measure was the abatement of the landing fees during FY 2013 with regard to the equipment (100 tons or less) mainly used by LCCs with an aim to revitalize local communities by maintaining local routes and supporting LCCs, and this measure was taken during FY 2015 as well. The second is the promotion of airport management reforms. Many of Japan’s airports are managed by the central and local governments, contemplating to keep their runways and airport buildings under integrated management and launching strategic airfare plans and sales campaigns in conjunction with private businesses in a bid to attract LCCs.

In addition to these measures, each individual airport has also taken two key steps to create an environment for hosting LCCs. One is the construction of LCC dedicated terminals. FY 2012 witnessed the launch of an interim LCC receiving facility at Narita International Airport, Japan's first LCC dedicated terminal (T2) at Kansai International Airport and an interim LCC terminal leveraging existing facilities at Naha Airport. Furthermore, Terminal 3 (LCC terminal) at Narita International Airport came into service in April 2015. In addition, the construction of LCC terminals is being contemplated.