Air Japan Fails to Make the Grade

The backers of AirAsia Japan have revealed they are currently exploring “all available options” for the low-cost business after the carrier failed to meet initial growth targets and the planned expectations of its shareholders. The carrier, a joint venture between AirAsia and All Nippon Airways (ANA), was established in August 2011 and launched operations last year but has struggled in what is a competitive marketplace.

AirAsia Japan initially launched operations from Tokyo Narita to the domestic destinations of Fukuoka, Okinawa and Sapporo on August 1, 2012 subsequently adding international flights from the Japanese capital to Seoul Incheon and Busan in South Korea from October 2012 and November 2012, respectively. A second hub was opened at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya in March this year with domestic connections to Fukuoka and Sapporo and an international link to Seoul Incheon being introduced. A new link between Tokyo Narita and Taipei Taoyuan has also been planned for launch during the second half of this year.

Routes

Photo:José Ramon Valero - TLS