Jetstar Japan to launch Kumamoto with three routes.

On August 20th, Jetstar Japan (GK/JJP) announced that they will add Kumamoto (KMJ/RJFT), their 11th destination and fourth city in Kyushu, to their growing network from October 26th, the start of the Winter 2014/2015 timetable. Twice daily flights will be operated each to and from Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG), Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB), and Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) using 180-seat Airbus A320s.

Airbus A320-232 JA05JJ being pushed back by JAL's ground handling at Fukuoka. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

To promote the inauguration, the Japanese unit of the Australian LCC will sell 99 seats on each flight on the three new routes for an eye-catching 99 JPY for travel between October 26th and December 4th. Tickets will go on sale on August 21st at 1630 JST.

Flight Schedule:
Narita – Kumamoto NEW 2 daily with A320-200.
GK611 NRT 0620 – 0820 KMJ 32A/320 Mo/Fr/Sa/Su *Oct/26 - Dec/15, Jan/9 - Feb/16.
GK611 NRT 0620 – 0820 KMJ 32A/320 Daily *Dec/19 - Jan/5, Feb/20 - Mar/28.
GK613 NRT 0820 – 1020 KMJ 32A/320 Tu/We/Th *Oct/28 - Dec/18, Jan/6 - Feb/19.
GK615 NRT 1345 – 1550 KMJ 32A/320 Daily
GK610 KMJ 1245 – 1430 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Fr/Sa/Su *Oct/26 - Dec/15, Jan/9 - Feb/16.
GK610 KMJ 1245 – 1430 NRT 32A/320 Daily *Dec/19 - Jan/5, Feb/20 - Mar/28.
GK612 KMJ 1430 – 1615 NRT 32A/320 Tu/We/Th *Jan/6 - Feb/19.
GK612 KMJ 1435 – 1620 NRT 32A/320 Tu/We/Th *Oct/28 - Dec/18.
GK614 KMJ 2000 – 2145 NRT 32A/320 Daily

Kansai – Kumamoto NEW 2 daily with A320-200.
GK671 KIX 0810 – 0935 KMJ 32A/320 Daily
GK673 KIX 1520 – 1645 KMJ 32A/320 Daily
GK672 KMJ 1005 – 1110 KIX 32A/320 Daily
GK674 KMJ 1715 – 1820 KIX 32A/320 Daily

Kumamoto – Chubu Centrair NEW 2 daily with A320-200.
GK681 NGO 1045 – 1210 KMJ 32A/320 Mo/Fr/Sa/Su *Oct/26 – Dec/15, Jan/9 - Feb/16.
GK681 NGO 1045 – 1210 KMJ 32A/320 Daily *Dec/19 - Jan/5, Feb/20 - Mar/28.
GK683 NGO 1235 – 1400 KMJ 32A/320 Tu/We/Th *Jan/6 - Feb/19.
GK683 NGO 1240 – 1405 KMJ 32A/320 Tu/We/Th *Oct/28 - Dec/18.
GK685 NGO 1805 – 1930 KMJ 32A/320 Daily
GK680 KMJ 0850 – 1000 NGO 32A/320 Mo/Fr/Sa/Su *Oct/26 – Dec/15, Jan/9 - Feb/16.
GK680 KMJ 0850 – 1000 NGO 32A/320 Daily *Dec/19 - Jan/5, Feb/20 - Mar/28.
GK682 KMJ 1050 – 1200 NGO 32A/320 Tu/We/Th *Oct/28 - Dec/18, Jan/6 - Feb/19.
GK684 KMJ 1620 – 1730 NGO 32A/320 Daily

For the Winter 2014/2015 schedule, Jetstar Japan will operate up to 52 daily round-trips (104 flights) covering 11 domestic destinations, an increase of 16 round-trips compared to one year ago. The recently launched Kansai base (Jetstar Japan launches Kansai hub.) will boast six destinations, including Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), Oita (OIT/RJFO), Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH), Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC), and Narita. The LCC, owned 33.3% by Qantas Airways (QF/QFA), 33.3% by Japan Airlines (JL/JAL), 16.7% by Mitsubishi, and 16.7% by Century Tokyo Leasing, currently operates 18 A320s with the 19th due in October.

And noteworthy is their increasing presence at Nagoya's main airport, which until now has only maintained once daily service each to Fukuoka, Kagoshima (KOJ/RJFK), and New Chitose. AirAsia Japan (Mk II) is expected to launch with a hub at Chubu Centrair (AirAsia Japan selects Nagoya Chubu Centrair.) by July 2015 with initial flights to Fukuoka and New Chitose, and Jetstar Japan will probably try to make good use of their first-mover advantage to have themselves established in the market before the rivalry begins.

Reference: Jetstar Japan, August 20th. (PDF; in Japanese)