Aeronautics

Historically dominated by US manufacturers since the beginning of the 1950s, the Japanese commercial aircraft and helicopter market is among the largest in the world. The EBC welcomes the decision by the two major Japanese airlines to choose European products. This is clear evidence that Europe can lead the way when it comes to high technology, quality, customer services, and cost-effectiveness.

There are several examples of successful cooperation between our industries. Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and Airbus Helicopters on the BK117 helicopter co-development programme, cooperation between Safran and Leonardo with their respective Japanese partners, are encouraging examples of successful collaboration between the European and Japanese aeronautics industries. The Government of Japan and European Governments have signed various bilateral agreements that have led to increased engagement and project discussions. The EBC expects positive results deriving from concrete programmes of Europe-Japan co-development.

The EBC strongly believes that shifting from a policy of sole domestic development to one of international co-development will create superiority in the technological field, and expand Japan’s market in both volume and range of products. Proactive collaboration with successful European companies would enable Japanese corporations to strengthen their positions in commercial aeronautics. By joining a wider range of projects, Japanese firms would be able to expand their international business opportunities and further develop their technological base. The EBC feels that there are considerable opportunities for large-scale joint development programmes between Japanese and European industries, especially in the field of transport aircraft, and urges Japan’s Government and aerospace players to support such initiatives.

As part of the Aviation Strategy adopted on 7 December 2015, the European Commission “recommended that the EU negotiates further bilateral aviation safety agreements with important aeronautical manufacturing nations such as Japan”.

In June 2020, the EU and Japan signed a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) which should enter into force after its ratification by the parties. The EBC welcomes this initiative, which will remove the duplication of oversight activities and will support mutual safety recognition between the EU and Japan.