Mark Hannant
Football fever may not have taken hold in Japan just yet but the country which will jointly host the four-yearly football World Cup in 2002 is thinking ahead and putting in place the infrastructure to ensure the event can cope with the influx of visitors.
Many projects are already under way. A new runway will open later this year at Haneda Tokyo International Airport, which will relieve congestion. It may also relieve the pressure on general aviators who find it almost impossible to get slots at this and other airports in Japan.
Confidence in the positive impact that the World Cup will have in Japan manifested itself here at Asian Aerospace 2000 when Kawasho signed a contract with Cessna for three aircraft.
Kawasho, representative of Cessna in Japan, has ordered a Citation Excel and two Cessna 172s in a deal worth $9.3 million. Although Cessna is offering some limited 'millennium editions' of the 172, these orders are for the standard version at $160,000 each.
Junichi 'Jumbo' Hosaka, assistant manager of Kawasho's aircraft department and part of the delegation at the show to sign the contract, says: "The general aviation market in Japan is very strong. The money is available, the demand is there.
Access
"We're very hopeful that the planned deregulation in the sector will see greater access to airports. That would stimulate sales. This purchase allows us to build on the strong market share which Cessna has in Japan."
With comprehensive service capabilities in Japan, Cessna has built a reputation for reliability so it is no surprise that Kawasho's customer should choose Cessna. The deal also proves the company's confidence in the market is well founded.
The Cessna deal could prove to be just the first kick of a longer match that sees general aviation sales take off in Japan.
Source: Flight Daily News
