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Qantas and Japan Airlines have announced plans for a new Japanese budget airline, Jetstar Japan. Along with Mitsubishi Corporation, the two partners hope to launch the new low-cost carrier by the end of 2012.
The Qantas Group, Japan Airlines (JAL) and Mitsubishi Corporation announced today the launch of a brand new domestic airline, Jetstar Japan. The airline will target budget conscious travellers who opt for cheap tickets on flights. Qantas Group, JAL and Mitsubishi Corporation will each hold 1/3 share in the new company.
Jetstar Japan is scheduled to begin its domestic operations in Japan by the end of 2012. The low-cost carrier is expected to offer flights from the Tokyo Narita Airport and Osaka, Kansai International. In due course, Jetstar Japan also plans to provide short haul international flights to major Asian destinations.
The airline plans to launch with an initial fleet of three Airbus A320 aircrafts. These aircrafts will be configured for 180 passengers in a single class. Jetstar Japan hopes to grow to 24 aircrafts within its first few years of operation.
Qantas’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alan Joyce, said the launch of the new airline was a historic and vital move for the Qantas Group.
“The Qantas Group has a long history of serving the Japanese air travel market, with Qantas and Jetstar operating regular services between Australia and Japan,” Mr Joyce said in the press release.
“Qantas and JAL have a long-standing relationship, as codeshare partners and fellow oneworld™ alliance members. We are also delighted to be joining with Mitsubishi Corporation– one of Japan’s great global brands – to launch Jetstar Japan, building on the successful expansion of the Jetstar brand across Asia.”
“The Qantas Group has a wealth of experience in establishing low cost carriers and we’re looking forward to working with our two partners on this new venture which will offer low fares to the Japanese travelling public,” he continued.
Jetstar Japan will be officially launched in Tokyo later today by the President of Japan Airlines, Mr. Masaru Onishi, Executive Vice President & Group CEO, Industrial Finance, Logistics & Development Group Mitsubishi Corporation, Mr. Hideshi Takeuchi, and Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bruce Buchanan.
Mr. Onishi said that the collaboration with Jetstar is a two-airline approach that will enable the Japan Airlines to serve a major chunk of Japanese travel market.
“We are confident that Jetstar Japan will broaden the spectrum of travellers as it creates new demand in this market,” said Mr. Onishi.
“It will encourage even more movement of people within the country and also increase the number of visitors from Asia to Japan. We anticipate this to stimulate consumer spending and play a role in revitalizing the Japanese economy,” he further added.
Qantas Group’s Jetstar was the first low-cost airline to enter Japan in 2007, and the carrier has already carried more than two million passengers between Australia and Japan. Jetstar’s low fare model is believed to encourage people to travel more often and it surely attracts those passengers who prefer cheap tickets for their flights.
To augment demand among travellers, Jetstar Japan will offer fares that will be covered by its Price Beat Guarantee to ensure that the fares offered by the carrier are the most competitive in the market.
Qantas Places Fleet Order
The Qantas Group announced today that it will acquire up to 110 Airbus A320s, plus 194 purchase rights and options, to sustain fleet renewal and growth for the next 10 to 15 years. These aircrafts will smooth the progress of capacity growth across Jetstar’s domestic and international operations. This will also help facilitate the launch of Jetstar Japan and the establishment of Qantas’ new premium Asia-focused airline.