Summary
- AirJapan is about to launch as a standalone low-cost carrier, starting with flights between Tokyo and Bangkok in February.
- The airline will initially operate six weekly flights on the Tokyo-Bangkok route, with plans to extend to day by day flights in April.
- AirJapan will face strong competition from established low-cost carriers in Asia, but goals to capitalize on the growing demand for medium-haul low-cost flights.
AirJapan has begun selling tickets ahead of its launch next month. The ANA subsidiary will start flying between Tokyo and Bangkok in early February, with more international routes to follow.
AirJapan gears up for launch
The upcoming low-cost carrier, which technically already exists but will branch out as a standalone brand from next month, will launch its first flight on February ninth with a service between Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). As reported by ch-aviation, AirJapan has began selling fares for its upcoming flights, which may also include Tokyo Narita to Seoul Incheon Airport (INC) starting on February twenty second with five weekly flights.
Photo: AirJapan
The airline’s NRT-BKK service will launch with six weekly flights, increasing to a day by day flight in April – its competitors on this route will likely be Japan Airlines (and ZIPAIR), Thai Airways and Thai AirAsia X, while parent company All Nippon Airways also flies this route. AirJapan will operate flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with a 17:55 departure from Tokyo, while the return flight will leave Bangkok at 00:15 the next day.
It would fly with all-economy Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners sourced from parent company ANA, which might fit 324 passengers. It is not clear what number of Dreamliners will likely be dedicated to the brand new airline, but ANA has
Where next?
The airline will deal with destinations in Asia and Oceania inside six or seven hours flying time from Tokyo, coexisting with ANA short-haul subsidiary Peach Aviation and mainline operations from ANA. While latest route announcements aren’t expected for a number of more months, the carrier is rumored to be eyeing up flights out of Kansai International Airport.
AirJapan has the truth is existed for over twenty years as ‘Air Japan’, but will now rebrand by removing the space and becoming a standalone airline. Before this, the airline was called ‘World Air Network’ and operated charter flights under parent company ANA.
The brand new entity will aim to capitalize on the growing demand for medium-haul low-cost flights, offering the same old LCC ancillaries like purchasable in-flight meals and a three-tier fare system. On the plus side, passengers can look ahead to free in-flight WiFi, which is not something you see so much with low-cost airlines.
Asian medium-haul competitors
Fellow Japanese carrier Japan Airlines, together with Asian heavyweights Singapore Airlines and AirAsia, have established their very own standalone medium-haul subsidiaries in ZIPAIR, Scoot, and AirAsia X, respectively.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Easy Flying
This implies AirJapan will likely be going up against multiple established low-cost airlines within the region which have had years to construct their brand and customer base. Its first route, albeit a preferred one in Tokyo-Bangkok, is already served by five airlines, while one other of its rumored destinations – Singapore Changi (SIN) – can be served by five airlines out of Tokyo Narita.
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