Jetstar will launch next June a daily flight between Singapore and Fukuoka via Bangkok, a first for the Japanese airport.
SINGAPORE- Jetstar will begin daily flights between Singapore and Japan’s sixth largest city Fukuoka, via Bangkok from 26 June 2014, opening up low fares travel options between the three popular Asian destinations. Fukuoka, located in Kyushu, the third largest island in Japan, will become the third international Japanese port for Jetstar joining Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka.
Jetstar Asia CEO Bara Pasupathi said Japan was continuing to present growth opportunities for the Jetstar network. “Japan remains a popular destination for travellers in our region and it also represents a market where low cost travel is growing enormously,” he said.
“We have seen Jetstar Japan, now the largest LCC in Japan, really open up the domestic aviation market and stimulating new travel opportunities for new low fare destinations.”
“This new route will give our Japanese customers two new and highly popular destinations that currently are not served by any of the region’s LCCs,” said Mr Pasupathi.
LCCs were introduced to the domestic Japan market in 2012, with airports experiencing increasing passenger traffic. Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Tourism attributed the 8.7% increase in domestic air travel year on year in November 2013 to the introduction of LCCs and the strengthening Japanese economy.
Fukuoka is a popular leisure destination for both domestic and international tourists. “Fukuoka has lots of attractions that leisure travellers love, like mountains and incredible scenery, hot springs, food and culture. Our low fares will open up more opportunities for our customers to access Fukuoka and the rest of Japan,” said Mr Pasupathi.
The Mayor of Fukuoka, Mr Soichiro Takashima said that the service heralds a new era of travel choices and opportunities for the city.
“Since Jetstar Japan launched its domestic operations to Fukuoka in 2012, the residents have benefitted from more holiday destinations at low fares,” Mr Takashima said. “Over the last two years, Fukuoka has seen more visitors from all around Japan as well as an increase in the number of international tourists arriving at Fukuoka Airport with the easing of visa requirements to Japan.”
The new daily service will be operated by Jetstar Asia’s 180-seat Airbus A320. Jetstar Asia currently flies to Japan twice daily with its Singapore – Taipei – Osaka service and four times weekly with its Singapore – Manila – Osaka service.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
