As a part of U.S. fiscal reform and to obtain new financial sources for its aviation services, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration will begin charging foreign commercial aircraft that use U.S. airspace starting May 19. But the U.S. move has triggered opposition from many international airlines, including Japanese ones.
While upsetting airlines, the new regulation also seems to have encouraged Japan to introduce similar overflight fees for Japanese airspace. Some observers say Japan is looking for the best time to implement the change.
Many nations currently charge foreign carriers overflight fees. But among major countries, Japan, Singapore and the U.S. so far have not introduced such charges.