Japanese aviation authorities are introducing measures that will allow captains with repeated counted deviations from Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions to be restricted from operating flights to or from Haneda. The measures will take effect once the Haneda Airport Use Plan format is revised to capture PIC information, and apply specifically to international general aviation operations, including business aviation.

Once implemented, a flight may otherwise meet Haneda’s operational requirements, but the assigned PIC could still affect whether that flight can operate as planned.

What is changing at Haneda?

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) is introducing two primary measures:

1. Collection of additional captain information through the Airport Use Plan process.
2. Restrictions on Haneda access for captains who repeatedly deviate from ATC instructions.

Under the revised Airport Use Plan, operators will be required to provide the captain’s name, telephone number, email address, and pilot license number.

According to Hiroshi Higashiyama, Representative Director, Universal Aviation Japan:

“If a person designated as a captain subject to the access restriction is not operating the flight as Pilot-in-Command (PIC), operations into Tokyo International Airport will remain permissible.”

Hiroshi Higashiyama, Representative Director, Universal Aviation Japan

That distinction matters. The restriction is tied to the individual serving as PIC, not simply to their presence as a crewmember. A Restricted Captain may still operate as Second-in-Command (SIC) — the restriction applies only to the PIC role. Detailed SIC information is therefore not required for this purpose.

How does the three-count restriction work?

JCAB will maintain a “Watchlist of Captains Requiring Special Attention” shared between Civil Aviation Bureau headquarters and the Tokyo Airport Office.

When a captain accumulates three counted ATC deviations, that individual will be designated a “Restricted Captain.”

At that point:

1. The captain may not operate flights arriving at or departing from Haneda as PIC.
2. The operator may continue using RJTT if another captain is assigned as PIC — the Restricted Captain may still fly as SIC.
3. If a Restricted Captain is listed on an Airport Use Plan as PIC, the operator will be asked to replace that captain.
4. Failure to replace the captain could expose the operator to additional Haneda access restrictions.

Not every reported deviation automatically counts. JCAB will review the circumstances of each event, including ATC communication records, before determining whether it should be added to the captain’s total.

The count can also decrease. If no further ATC deviation occurs for one year following the most recent deviation, the captain’s total is reduced by one.

Why is Haneda tightening enforcement?

The new measures follow multiple ATC-deviation events involving business aviation aircraft at Haneda during 2025.

JCAB’s October 2025 advisory cited runway and taxiway incursions by foreign GA aircraft, including an unauthorized entry onto Runway 04/22 and entry onto closed Taxiway A1. Operators were instructed to ensure crews thoroughly review AIP, AIP Supplements, NOTAMs, and other aeronautical information, comply strictly with ATC instructions, and stop to seek clarification whenever an instruction is unclear.

Haneda’s own 2026 ATC guidance also identifies several specific ground-movement risks, including avoiding an incorrect entry onto B6 from U4, not missing L15 while taxiing northbound, and obtaining explicit ATC authorization before crossing a runway.

The airport guidance shows why RJTT-specific familiarization matters. A seemingly small taxiing error can put an aircraft onto the wrong taxiway or toward an active runway.

What should operators do before an RJTT mission?

Once the revised Airport Use Plan takes effect, operators should treat PIC assignment as part of Haneda access planning.

Key considerations include:

1. Confirm the planned PIC before submitting the Airport Use Plan.
2. Review current RJTT airport diagrams, AIP information, AIP Supplements, and NOTAMs as part of the crew briefing.
3. Include Haneda-specific taxiway and runway-crossing hotspots in the briefing.
4. If an ATC instruction is unclear, stop and clarify rather than continue.

The important misconception to avoid is assuming that completing the normal aircraft and airport approval process automatically means the planned crew can operate the flight.

The bottom line

Haneda’s new policy will make the assigned PIC part of the airport-access equation for international GA operations. Once implemented, a captain who accumulates three counted ATC deviations can be prohibited from operating to or from RJTT as PIC, while the operator may continue using Haneda with another captain — including the Restricted Captain acting as SIC.

For operators, that makes crew assignment a new access-planning consideration, not just a staffing decision. Operators with questions about how the new process will affect a specific mission can contact Universal Aviation Japan directly.