Tag Archives: AirAsia (Japan)

AirAsia Japan to return on October 29

AirAsia Japan, the Japanese affiliate of AirAsia of Malaysia, is back in business with its inaugural service from Nagoya to Sapporo.

The twice-daily service will commence on October 29, 2017, connecting Nagoya – AirAsia Japan’s main hub – to the capital of northern Hokkaido prefecture.

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said, “It’s great to be back in Japan. It hasn’t been easy, and I want to thank my partners Rakuten, Octave, Noevir and Alpen for their support and patience. Many people thought we would give up and not bother but we owe it to the people of Japan and our staff to keep going. This took a long time but, like good wine, all good things take time and we are off the taxiway and ready to take off.

AirAsia Japan is a joint venture between AirAsia Berhad, Rakuten Inc, Octave Japan Infrastructure Fund I GK, Noevir Holdings Co Ltd and Alpen Co Ltd. The airline operates two A320-200 aircraft from its hub at Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair International Airport.

* One-way base fare inclusive of sales tax and excluding airport taxes and fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Flight Schedule for Nagoya (NGO) to Sapporo (CTS)

Flight No.	From	To	Departure	Arrival	Schedule
DJ 0001	NGO	CTS	0735h	0925h	Daily
DJ 0009	NGO	CTS	1710h	1900h	Daily
DJ 0002	CTS	NGO	1000h	1205h	Daily
DJ 0010	CTS	NGO	1935h	2140h	Daily

In China, AirAsia Bhd previously signed a joint venture agreement with China to establish a low a Chinese affiliate based in Zhengzhou. The new ventured is a joint venture between AirAsia, the Everbright Group and the Henan Government Working Group.

Copyright Photo: AirAsia (Japan) Airbus A320-216 JA03AJ (msn 5325) (Now Everyone Can Fly) NRT (Michael B. Ing). Image: 912558.

AirAsia Japan to be relaunched in 2015

AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) has announced the second launch of AirAsia Japan (2nd). The low-fare Malaysian airline issued this statement today (July 1). Operations are due to start in mid 2015. Here is the full statement:

AirAsia today (July 1) announced that it will be entering into a Shareholders Agreement with Octave Japan Infrastructure Fund I GK (Octave), Rakuten Inc. (Rakuten), Noevir Holdings Co. Ltd. (Noevir), and Alpen Co. Ltd. (Alpen) to establish AirAsia Japan.

Tony Fernandes (center above), Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia said, “We are very excited to return to Japan’s skies together with Octave, Rakuten, Noevir and Alpen this time round. I am more confident than ever that AirAsia Japan, led by Odi (Odagiri Yoshinori) with the strong partnership we have with our new investors, will continue to realize our vision to revolutionize the low-cost carrier segment of Japan. The AirAsia Japan team is now working hard with the relevant authorities to obtain necessary operational approvals, and we hope that all will be in place to start both domestic and international flights by the summer of 2015.”

Odagiri Yoshinori, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Japan further commented, “We are ready to take on this challenge and with great teamwork, we hope to bring AirAsia’s successful low-cost business model once again to Japan. Our counterparts in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India have seen great and encouraging responses in their markets, and we will work towards the same for Japan. We would like to thank the investors for their belief in us and we look forward to working closely with them moving forward.”

Octave was incorporated in Japan on May 2014 and its major business is to acquire, own, manage, hold, sell, and dispose of the shares of AirAsia Japan and make collections from the shares of AirAsia Japan; while Rakuten was incorporated in Japan on February 1997 and its major business includes Internet services (e-commerce, travel), financial services (bank, credit card, securities. etc), telecommunications and professional sports.

Noevir, which was incorporated in Japan on March 2011 and its major business includes cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and health food, apparel and aviation business. Alpen was incorporated in Japan on July 1972 and its major business includes manufacturing and retail of ski equipment, other sporting goods equipment including golf, tennis, marine sports, baseball, etc. and leisure goods; management of ski resorts, golf courses and fitness clubs.

Read the full story from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE

Read the analysis by Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE

AirAsia (Japan) (1st):

AirAsia (Malaysia):

Tony Fernandes to restart AirAsia Japan with new Japanese partners

AirAsia’s (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) CEO Tony Fernandes is taking another crack at the Japanese LCC market with the return of AirAsia Japan according to Bloomberg. Tony Fernandes was recently in Japan and stated he was lining up new Japanese partners.

Yoshinori Odagiri, the former CEO of AirAsia Japan will also lead the new carrier with Osamu Hata, previously a chief financial officer at Japan’s Dell unit according to Bloomberg.

The previous AirAsia Japan (Tokyo-Narita) was a low-fare joint venture with ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) that operated from August 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013. The old AirAsia Japan was the fifth subsidiary/joint venture of AirAsia.

ANA turn its portion of the joint venture of AirAsia Japan into Vanilla Air. Vanilla Air’s fleet will grow to six Airbus A320s by next month, eight by March 2015, and 10 by March 2016 according to ZipanguFlyer.

Read the full report on the second coming of AirAsia Japan from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-216 JA03AJ (msn 5325) of the first version AirAsia Japan taxies at the Tokyo (Narita) base.

AirAsia Japan:

Vanilla Air takes delivery of its first Airbus A320

Vanilla Air (formerly AirAsia Japan) (Tokyo-Narita), Japan’s newest low-cost carrier has taken delivery of its first A320 (A320-216 JA01VA, msn 5844) in Toulouse, France, on lease from AWAS. The airline will start commercial services on December 20 from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to Okinawa and Taipei, gradually expanding services to Sapporo and Seoul (Incheon) and international holiday resort destinations

Vanilla Air’s A320 is configured with 180 seats in a high comfort all economy layout. The aircraft is equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices and powered by CFM56 engines.

AirAsia Japan to become Vanilla Air

AirAsia Japan (Tokyo-Narita), the failed joint venture between AirAsia (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) and ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo), will be rebranded as Vanilla Air by its now full parent, ANA, which acquired AirAsia’s shares in the joint venture. Vanilla Air will become the new name in December. In the meantime, AirAsia Japan is cancelling hundreds of flights between September 1 and October 26 (see below).

Read the full story from Channel NewsAsia: CLICK HERE

The current AirAsia Japan aircraft are being returned to AirAsia. AirAsia previously issued this statement about the cancelled joint venture and as a result the following cancelled flights:

1 SEP – 26 OCT 2013 : From/ To Nagoya (Chubu)

Nagoya (Chubu) → Fukuoka			Fukuoka → Nagoya (Chubu)
Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Flight No.	Departure	Arrival
JW8621	6:45	8:05	JW8622	8:40	9:55
JW8627	19:55	21:15	JW8628	21:40	22:55

Nagoya (Chubu) → Sapporo (Shin-Chitose)			Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) → Nagoya (Chubu)
Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Flight No.	Departure	Arrival
JW8617	15:40	17:20	JW8616	17:45	19:30

Nagoya (Chubu) → Seoul (Incheon)			Seoul (Incheon) → Nagoya (Chubu)
Flight No.	Departure	Flight No.	Flight No.	Departure	Flight No.
JW865	10:45	12:45	JW866	13:10	15:00

1 OCT – 26 OCT 2013 : Narita=Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) & Narita=Okinawa (Naha)

Tokyo (Narita) → Sapporo (Shin-Chitose)				Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) → Tokyo (Narita)
Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Frequency	Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Frequency
JW8521	7:10	8:55	Thu, Sat	JW8520	9:20	10:55	Thu, Sat
JW8521	7:15	9:00	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun	JW8520	9:25	11:00	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun
JW8523	11:25	13:20	Thu, Sat	JW8522	13:45	15:20	Thu, Sat
JW8523	111:30	13:25	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun	JW8522	13:50	15:25	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun

Tokyo (Narita) → Okinawa (Naha)				Okinawa (Naha) → Tokyo (Narita)
Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Frequency	Flight No.	Departure	Arrival
JW8665	15:55	18:50	Thu, Sat	JW8666	19:20	21:55
	16:00	18:55	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-216 JA02AJ (msn 5200) climbs away from the Tokyo (Narita) base.

AirAsia Japan:

AirAsia Japan to be shut down on October 31

AirAsia Japan (Tokyo-Narita) will cease all scheduled services on October 31, 2013. ANA has decided it will not merge the joint venture with Peach Aviation. The airline started operations on August 1, 2012.

All four Airbus A320s will be returned to AirAsia (Malaysia) the following day.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-216 JA01AJ (msn 5153) approaches the Tokyo (Narita) hub.

AirAsia (Japan):

Route Map:

ANA to buy out AirAsia’s share of AirAsia Japan, the joint venture to be dissolved

ANA Holdings Inc (ANA-All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) according to Reuters, will buy out AirAsia’s (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) portion of AirAsia Japan (Tokyo-Narita) joint venture for over $25 million. The loss-making entity will be dissolved. AirAsia Japan commenced operations only on August 1, 2012. ANA controls 67 percent of the shares.

ANA is considering its options. The joint venture could be rolled into Peach Aviation.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

AirAsia (Japan):

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The AirAsia brand will soon die in Japan. The concept is just not working despite the recent SkyTrax 2013 Awards (below, AirAsia Japan). Airbus A320-216 JA01AJ (msn 5153) arrives at the Narita base.

Is AirAsia ready to give up on its ANA joint venture AirAsia Japan?

AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) may be getting ready to quit its AirAsia Japan (Tokyo-Narita) joint venture with ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ is reporting there is management “tension” and different approaches between the two main carriers.

One report has AirAsia selling all of its stock to ANA. ANA in return will merge AirAsia Japan with Peach Aviation. However this has not been confirmed by any of the parties which are reportedly exploring their options. Can the marriage between a fast-growing low fare airline and a mainline legacy flag carrier be saved?

AirAsia Japan commenced operations on August 1, 2012.

Read the full story from the Malaysian Insider: CLICK HERE

The CEO of AirAsia Japan issued this statement on June 11:

In regards to the recent media announcements on the dissolution of AirAsia Japan Co., Ltd., a joint venture between ANA Holdings Inc. and AirAsia Berhad; please be informed that our shareholders are still exploring all available options and any decision will be further subject to respective corporate approvals.

Rest assured that with the strong support from our major shareholder, ANA Holdings Inc., AirAsia Japan will continue to operate flights as usual.

As a Japan-based Low Cost Carrier (LCC), our goal is to make your dreams of travel a reality.
Your support is truly appreciated.

See you in the clouds!

Yours sincerely,

Yoshinori Odagiri
CEO, AirAsia Japan

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The only way to tell it is AirAsia Japan is the small “Japan” inscription by the nose and the JA Japanese aircraft registration. Airbus A320-216 JA03AJ (msn 5325) climbs away from the Tokyo (Narita) base.

Current Route Map:

AirAsia Japan:

AirAsia Japan prepares to launch scheduled operations on August 1

AirAsia Japan (AirAsia Japan Company Limited) (Tokyo-Narita) is getting ready to take delivery of its second Airbus A320 (JA02AJ). The new airline took delivery of its first Airbus A320 (JA01AJ) June 8, 2012 at Toulouse, France. As we previously reported, the new carrier will start scheduled operations on August 1 from Narita International Airport to Sapporo and Fukuoka, and from August 3 to Okinawa with an initial fleet of these two A320s.

AirAsia Japan will start international operations to Seoul (Incheon) and Pusan in South Korea in October, with the fleet growing to four A320s by the end of 2012.

AirAsia Japan’s A320s are configured in a high comfort, all economy layout with 180 seats. Each aircraft is powered by CFM56 engines.

AirAsia Japan, established in August 2011, is a joint venture between Japan’s largest airline ANA Group (67%) and low-cost airline AirAsia (33%). Operating under the AirAsia brand, AirAsia Japan will serve both domestic and international destinations.

Copyright Photo: Yvan Panas. The second Airbus A320, specifically this A320-216 with the test registration of F-WWIX will be delivered this month as JA02AJ. Oddly this aircraft wears a different color scheme from the first A320 (JA01AJ). It is unclear if this represents a new livery for the AirAsia family of airlines.

AirAsia Japan takes delivery of its first Airbus A320

AirAsia Japan (AirAsia Japan Company Limited) (Tokyo-Narita) took delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft yesterday (June 8) at Toulouse, France. The new carrier will start commercial services on August 1 from Narita International Airport to Sapporo and Fukuoka, and from August 3 to Okinawa with an initial fleet of two A320s.

AirAsia Japan will start international operations to Seoul (Incheon) and Pusan in South Korea in October, with a fleet growing to four A320s by the end of 2012.

AirAsia Japan’s A320s are configured in a high comfort, all economy layout with 180 seats. Each aircraft is powered by CFM56 engines.