The 2019 Civil Aviation Symposium (held in Washington, DC, and Tokyo) discussed the future outlook of international aviation in the Asia-Pacific region against the backdrop of an expanding aviation market supporting economic growth, including enhancements to airport functions in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the expansion of long-haul direct flights from the United States to Asia, and the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in Southeast Asia.
 

However, the COVID-19 pandemic subsequently brought severe restrictions globally on people-to-people exchanges. Additionally, international dynamics have shifted with events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the expanding military and economic influence of China. These developments have further increased the uncertainty surrounding the aviation industry.

 

Against this backdrop, the 2023 Civil Aviation Symposium (held in Washington, DC) focused on addressing the urgent and critical issue of climate change, with discussions centered on achieving aviation sustainability.

 

The current situation is as follows:

1. Aviation demand is not only recovering but has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels in many regions, with the Asia-Pacific expected to fully return to pre-pandemic levels soon.

2. Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, strengthening aviation connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region is not only essential for supporting regional stability and economic prosperity but is also a critically important issue for economic security, ensuring sustainable growth and stability in the international community.

3. Following the pandemic, with ongoing constraints on flights between the two biggest nations across the Pacific, Japan has reinforced its role as a key hub connecting ASEAN and the U.S.

4. In the Asia-Pacific region, addressing the growing aviation demand necessitates urgent improvements to airport infrastructure and enhancements in air traffic control capacity. Additionally, both Japan and the United States face challenges in avoiding constraints on air traffic control capacity caused by increasing air traffic volume and addressing aviation-related human resource shortages. Furthermore, efforts to ensure sustainability, such as reducing environmental impact, have become crucial.

 

In light of these considerations, the upcoming 2025 Civil Aviation Symposium will focus on strengthening aviation networks in the Asia-Pacific region as its central theme. The event will bring together government officials from Japan and the United States, representatives from airlines and airport operators, as well as a representative from an ASEAN country to discuss specific measures for cooperative efforts between Japan, the United States, and ASEAN nations to address these critical challenges.