Jetstar’s Japanese start-up today began selling tickets ahead of first flights scheduled for July 3.
A joint venture between Qantas, Japan Airlines, Mitsubishi Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation, Jetstar Japan says it will offer fares for up to 50 per cent less than full service Japanese carriers. Promotional fares currently on sale at the airline’s website run as low as A$50 one-way from Tokyo to Osaka.
Other initial destinations within Japan include Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa.
Jetstar says the launch of the Japanese offshoot will bolster tourism to Australia by offering budget options connecting the Japanese domestic market with Jetstar’s international services to Queensland and the Northern Territory.
“Jetstar Japan is good news for Australian tourism,” Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan said. “Connecting our international service from Tokyo and Osaka with our new domestic network makes it easier for Japanese to visit Australia, which is high on their holiday wish lists.”
Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy echoed those comments, saying: “Tourism Australia believes the arrival of Jetstar Japan will bring positive benefits and be a catalyst for further renewal of the Japan-Australia route as the Jetstar pan Asian airline model is proving successful in capturing strong travel demand in the high-growth Asian market through its low fares and large, increasingly integrated flight network.”
Jetstar has added some 36 additional weekly international flights to Japan since the start of 2012 as it paves the way for the Japanese launch. Jetstar Japan will start with a fleet of three Airbus A320s and plans to expand to 24 aircraft within a few years.
Qantas also recently announced plans to launch Jetstar Hong Kong in a joint venture with China Eastern Airlines.
