Qantas launches Jetstar Japan and announces B747 upgrades

Originally published on www.businesstravellerme.com 16/08/2011 - Filed under: News »

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The Qantas Group, JAL and Mitsubishi Corporation announced today the launch of Jetstar Japan, which will start domestic operations at the end of 2012.

Three new A320s will initially operate from Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka (Kansai International), with other destinations under consideration including Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa.

The aircraft will be configured for 180 customers in a single class, growing to 24 aircraft within its first few years. Total capitalization commitment for the new airline is up to ¥12 billion. Jetstar Japan also plans to ultimately offer short haul international services to key Asian cities.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Alan Joyce, said the establishment of Jetstar Japan was an historic step for the Qantas group.

“The Qantas Group has a long history of serving the Japanese air travel market, with Qantas and Jetstar operating regular services between Australia and Japan,” he said.

“Qantas and JAL have a long-standing relationship, as codeshare partners and fellow oneworld™ alliance members. We are also delighted to be joining with Mitsubishi Corporation to launch Jetstar Japan, building on the successful expansion of the Jetstar brand across Asia.”

JAL President Masaru Onishi said the partnership with Jetstar is a two-airline strategy that will allow the Japanese carrier to serve a larger part of the Japanese market.

“We are confident that Jetstar Japan will broaden the spectrum of travellers as it creates new demand in this market,” said Mr. Onishi.

“It will encourage even more movement of people within the country and also increase the number of visitors from Asia to Japan. We anticipate this to stimulate consumer spending and play a role in revitalising the Japanese economy.”

Jetstar was the first low fares airline to enter Japan in 2007, and has already carried more than two million customers between Australia and Japan.

Meanwhile Qantas has also announced it will invest almost $400 million in new international lounges, inflight entertainment and aircraft refurbishment.

The airline will construct a new First Lounge and Business Lounge in Los Angeles, three times the size of the current space, as well as new First Lounges in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Joyce said since the introduction of the A380 in October 2008, the objective was to ensure consistency across its fleet and lounge network.

In February last year, Qantas announced a $250 million upgrade for nine Boeing 747-400s to meet the changing demands of the airline’s international customers.

The first reconfigured B747 will commence services between Brisbane and Los Angeles in October, operating three return services per week.

The remaining eight Boeing 747s with new product will be introduced over the next 12 months across the international network, offering customers Business (including the fully flat Skybed), Premium Economy and Economy cabins, and on-demand Panasonic IFE with over 1000 entertainment options in every seat.

Each of the aircraft will be fitted with 364 seats: 58 Business, 36 Premium Economy and 270 Economy.

Seven new B737-800s are now operating on trans-Tasman routes with an eighth to arrive this week.

For the domestic network, Qantas has a total order of 24 B737-800s. Eighteen of these new aircraft will feature the new Boeing Sky Interior, the first of which is set to arrive in October.

Qantas has also invested $200 million to improve the airport experience, upgrading domestic lounges and introducing its award-winning smarter, faster check-in technology across Australia.

Stage one of the international roll-out will soon be available for passengers travelling to New Zealand – bringing trans-Tasman services closer to the convenience of a domestic flight.

The wholescale changes spearhead a five-year plan to make the airline more competitive in international markets.

Currently 82 out of every 100 people flying out of Australia are choosing to fly with an airline other than Qantas.

"We do not have the option of pretending that things will change if we stay the same. They won’t," the airline said on Twitter.

For more information, visit qantas.com

Report by Dominic Ellis

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