Peach Aviation (Osaka-Kansai) yesterday (October 17) announced that it has obtained approval from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to operate flights to congested airports. Peach’s application was made on August 23, 2011 in accordance with Japan’s Aeronautics Act.

With this approval, Peach Aviation is officially authorized to operate scheduled domestic flights for the period between March 1 and March 24, 2012. Starting on March 1, there will be 3 round trip flights per day on the Osaka (Kansai) – Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) route and 4 round trip flights per day on the Osaka (Kansai) – Fukuoka route.

Peach plans to announce airfares in late November.

Peach Aviation, Japan’s first dedicated low cost carrier, is preparing for its first flight in March 2012. Peach will provide new travel options at affordable prices, and will act as a bridge between Japan and the growing economies of other Asian countries.

Peach Aviation became Japan’s first official LCC (low cost carrier) in February 2011. It will be commencing flights from its home base, Kansai International Airport, no later than March 2012.

According to the airline, “Peach Aviation creates new airline networks across Asian countries. It is dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and affordable flights that will create new value and options in air travel. Peach will become a bridge between the growing economies of Asia and Japan.”

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. Peach’s first aircraft, an Airbus A320-214 with the temporary registration of F-WWIQ (msn 4887) arrives near sunset at Hamburg (Finkenwerder) for further work. The new airliner will become JA801P on delivery.