Low-Cost Carrier Jetstar Japan Takes To The Air July 3

Manila Bulletin
April 20, 2012
By CHRIS COOPER and KIYOTAKA MATSUDA

Jetstar Japan Co., the budget carrier backed by Qantas Airways Ltd. and Japan Airlines Co., said it plans to operate at least four bases in the country as it prepares to start flights on July 3.

The carrier’s initial hub in Tokyo’s Narita Airport will “soon” be followed by one in Osaka, Chief Executive Officer Miyuki Suzuki told reporters in Tokyo. Ones in Sapporo and Fukuoka will be added later, she said, without elaboration.

Jetstar Japan also said it will sell 10,000 tickets for 1 yen (1 cent) each as it competes with two other budget carriers starting flights in the country this year. The airline has said budget carriers may about to triple their share of Japanese air travel to 35 percent by 2020.

The new carrier will compete with two new budget airlines backed by All Nippon Airways Co. – Peach Aviation Ltd. and AirAsia Japan Co. – and Skymark Airlines Inc., the biggest existing low-fare airline.

Mitsubishi Corp. and Century Tokyo Leasing Corp. also own stakes in Jetstar Japan.