Article from BTNews 15 APRIL 2019
Newcomer ZipAir unveils fleet details
Japan Airlines’ new low-cost carrier (LCC) subsidiary ZipAir has revealed more details of its future fleet and its livery ahead of its projected launch in summer 2020 in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
The carrier is planning to enter the market with two Boeing B787-8 Dreamliners transferred from the Japan Airlines (JAL) fleet. From 2021, it is due to take delivery of two B787-8s a year for four years, bringing it to a total of 10.
The airline plans to target US west coast destinations from Tokyo Narita Airport, but will initially focus on shorter routes in Asia (BTN 18 March). JAL has applied for an Air Operator Certificate to operate the first two aircraft to Bangkok and Seoul.
JAL is playing to a growing market with its new company. LCCs are reported to account for some 10% of domestic flights in its home country and the figure is expected to rise to around 30% over the next decade.
A spokesman explained: “The Japanese government has set a target to increase visitor numbers at 40m a year by 2020 and to 60m by 2030. Having a low-cost long-haul carrier in Japan is a great step toward achieving these goals.”
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