Jetstar Japan brings forward launch date to Jul-2012, names initial five domestic destinations

Jetstar Japan announced (08-Feb-2012) it expects take to the skies ahead of schedule on 03-Jul-2012, flying initially to five major Japanese cities, meaning the carrier would start flying before AirAsia Japan (but after Peach Aviation). The launch network of Tokyo Narita, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa will be served by an initial fleet of three new A320 aircraft. Tokyo Narita has been confirmed as Jetstar Japan's first base, with the airline now on track to be the first LCC to fly domestically from the nation's capital. Fares and schedules will be announced soon. Jetstar Group stated its new venture will complement its existing operations, noting "the Japanese domestic network will be supported by almost 60 other destinations, including Singapore, China, Vietnam and Australia". Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan stated Jetstar's five-year history in Japan and the fact it was a known quantity had helped to speed up the launch and would be a competitive advantage in the battle with All Nippon Airways' (ANA) two LCC ventures, Peach Aviation and AirAsia Japan, also scheduled to launch in 2012. Since the start of 2012, the Jetstar Group has announced 36 additional weekly international flights, or more than 6000 extra seats, to/from Japan. Jetstar Japan CEO Miyuki Sizuki said the carrier was preparing for strong customer demand when fares to its first five destinations go on sale. The carrier is a JV between Qantas Group, Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Corp. [more - original PR] [more - CAPA Analysis]

Jetstar Group: "Serving the Japanese customer for the past five years with international services gives us a clear advantage in rolling out a domestic network. The Jetstar brand is a known quantity in this market and that awareness is helping us put together a strong, hard-working local team. We've built up a lot of trust with Japanese consumers who know that when we say every day low fares, we mean it," Bruce Buchanan, CEO. Source: Company statement, 08-Feb-2012.

Jetstar Japan: "In a country that's never had a true low fares domestic network, the ability to travel for an average of 50 per cent less will open up new places and opportunities. The great response we've had from potential crew and the positive discussions we're having with local airports has allowed us to bring our first flight forward by several months," Miyuki Suzuki, CEO. Source: Company statement, 08-Feb-2012.