Tourism Australia is hopeful that Jetstar Japan’s inaugural service this morning marks a significant milestone in the recovery of the the Japanese inbound market.
Managing director Andrew McEvoy predicted the new airline would help “rejuvenate” the Japanese inbound market through its low fares and improved access to Australia’s eastern seaboard.
The new domestic network links the secondary cities of Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa with gateway airports Tokyo Narita and Osaka, where passengers can connect with international services.
“Jetstar’s now well-established low fares model, together with the airline’s extensive and increasingly integrated flight network is a compelling mix and one we see as a key element in rebuilding a market which, despite some difficult years, remains our fifth largest source of international visitors,” he said.
“We all know that Japan has endured a tough time of it lately and the sight of the first Jetstar Japan plane in the sky is exactly the catalyst the country needs."
The Airbus A320 service departed Tokyo’s Narita Airport for Sapporo this morning with 180 passengers on board, including Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce who was hopeful the low cost model would stimulate new demand for air travel.
“The strong customer response to Jetstar Japan shows there’s a huge appetite for low fare travel options in this market,” he said.
Jetstar chief executive Jane Hrdlicka was confident the airline’s existing reputation as an international carrier to Japan, would see its domestic services succeed.
“The domestic operation is starting from a position of strength when it comes to consumer recognition and trust,” she said.
