Peach Aviation Limited Representative Director and CEO Shinichi Inoue on April 24 announced amendments to its Summer 2014 flight schedule, due to an unavoidable shortage of flight crew personnel, which will affect flights from May 19, resulting in cancellations of some flights. It is with extreme regret that these amendments must be made. However, in order to maintain efficient and safe operations for our customers, Peach has decided to take these precautionary measures.

Since the launch of its first flight in March 2012, Peach, the first Japanese LCC, has maintained a flight cancellation rate of 0.96%, a remarkably low number among LCC carriers. However, the increasingly competitive environment has created a sudden rise in demand for flight crew throughout the industry, leading to a shortage in personnel. In addition, there has been an unexpected number of absentees for health reasons among Peach’s flight crew. Therefore, after careful reevaluation, it has been necessary to decrease the number of flights in order to maintain safety and customer satisfaction. Peach is making every effort to find alternative arrangements for our customers.

Up to 2,088 flights between May 19 and October 25, 2014 may be affected by these amendments. 448 flights scheduled for May and June have been confirmed as cancelled. Any further changes to the flight schedule from July onwards will be announced on April 30. Customers who have already purchased tickets for these flights will be contacted via e-mail.

Customers who would like to change their flights to a different Peach flight will be able to do so free of charge. In the event that a new flight is unavailable, or if the affected customer is unable to travel during the desired period, the airfare will be refunded. Customers will be informed of the necessary procedures and details by email, via the e-mail address they registered upon initial purchase. Peach has also established a designated hotline for customers with further questions regarding the amended flight services.

To ensure safe and efficient operations, Peach will embark upon an even more proactive hiring strategy for flight crew to alleviate the current situation and to assure customer satisfaction. Peach aims to maintain the operational standard seen in the latter part of 2013 (operating with 11 aircraft), in order to maintain the quality of service we have been providing to our customers since our inauguration in 2012.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this will cause to all affected customers.