Japan Airlines Prepares To Launch Widebody LCC ZIPAIR In 2020

Japan Airlines VP strategy development Hiroyuki Uehara discusses the strategy of the group’s new long-haul low-cost airline, including plans for developing the fleet and network. Mr Uehara has been leading JAL’s long-haul low-cost project since it began in 2017. On 8-Mar-2019 (10 days after this interview was filmed) JAL announced the new airline would be branded ZIPAIR Tokyo and that Bangkok and Seoul would be the first destinations. ZIPAIR is preparing to launch services in 1H2020 using two 787-8s. Mr Uehara said the new airline plans to add two aircraft per year and begin long haul flights in 2021. The first two aircraft will be retrofitted to a high density two class configuration in 2H2019.