Spring Airlines Japan commences operation on 01-Aug-2014

Spring Airlines Japan launched (01-Aug-2014) operations on 01-Aug-2014, serving twice daily Tokyo Narita-Hiroshima and Tokyo Narita-Saga services as well as daily Tokyo Narita-Takamatsu service with 189-seat Boeing 737-800s, becoming the fourth LCC to be launched in Japan - see Route Changes Table for more information. The carrier is the only LCC not affiliated with an existing Japanese carrier. As previously reported, the carrier is targeting load factor between 70%-80%. From Narita, fares to Hiroshima start at JPY5690 (USD56.9), to Saga from JPY5700 (USD57), and to Takamatsu from JPY5630 (USD56.3). Its highest fare for each route has been set at around JPY25,000 (USD250), but the airline says that price is "for government paperwork purposes," and it has no intention to offer that fare. Spring Airlines chairman Wang Zhenghua emphasised the carrier "don't want to get into a fare war," with Jetstar Japan, which also serves Tokyo Narita-Takamatsu sector with fares from JPY3990 (USD39.9). Spring Airlines Japan will add five aircraft each year from 2015 onwards, targeting to reach a fleet of 20 sometime in 2017. [more - original PR - Japanese]