Jetstar In Rush To Beat Airasia For Japan Service

MELBOURNE, Feb 8 (Bernama) -– Qantas budget carrier Jetstar, has brought forward the launch of its Japanese subsidiary by several months. This is to beat Malaysia's AirAsia, in setting up domestic services in that country, the Sydney Morning Herald said. The newspaper also said Jetstar Japan had originally intended to begin flights on domestic routes late this year, but today, inked in July 3 as the launch date. The airline also confirmed that the joint venture between the Qantas Group, Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi will begin with a network linking Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa. The Japanese budget airline will begin with a fleet of just three new A320 aircraft – each seating 180 passengers – before increasing it to 24 within several years, the newspaper said . Jetstar and AirAsia are engaged in a contest to set up subsidiary airlines around Asia. AirAsia gained regulatory clearance this week for its offshoot in the Philippines to launch flights from March. AirAsia has slated August for the launch of its Japanese budget airline, which is a joint venture with All Nippon Airways. Jetstar Japan's chief executive, Miyuki Suzuki, said in a statement that the airline expected "strong customer demand" when fares to its first five destinations go on sale. "In a country that's never had a true low fares domestic network, the ability to travel for an average of 50 per cent less will open up new places and opportunities," she added. Jetstar Japan has still to gain an air operator's certificate. The expansion into Japan follows Jetstar setting up joint venture operations in Vietnam, New Zealand and Singapore. Singapore was made Jetstar's Asian hub in early 2010. -- BERNAMA