Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Jetstar Japan starts Narita – Hong Kong.

On June 1st, Jetstar Japan [GK/JJP] inaugurated Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA] – Hong Kong [HKG/VHHH] (Jetstar Japan announces Narita – Hong Kong.), making it their second international route after Osaka/Kansai [KIX/RJBB] – Hong Kong (Jetstar Japan goes international with Kansai – Hong Kong.), which was only launched on February 28th. Operated by 180-seat Airbus A320s, the three-times-weekly service will gradually be increased to daily by September 1st.

Airbus A320-232(SL) JA08JJ is being pushed back for the inaugural flight. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Flown by Airbus A320-232(SL) JA08JJ, maiden flight GK021 departed Narita at 0900 JST carrying 170 passengers, five flight attendants, and two pilots. One-way Starter fares, which include a seven-kilogram carry-on baggage allowance, will start from 7,500 JPY, excluding taxes and a fuel surcharge.

Flight Schedule:
Narita – Hong Kong NEW 3 weekly with A320-200. (June/1 - Jul/17)
GK021 NRT 0900 – 1240 HKG 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Th
GK022 HKG 1340 – 1900 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Th 

Narita – Hong Kong 6 weekly with A320-200. (July/18 - Aug/7, Aug/17 - 31)
GK021 NRT 0900 – 1240 HKG 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Th/Fr
GK021 NRT 0935 – 1315 HKG 32A/320 We/Su
GK022 HKG 1340 – 1900 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Th/Fr
GK022 HKG 1415 – 1935 NRT 32A/320 We/Su

Narita – Hong Kong 4 weekly with A320-200. (Aug/8 - 16)
GK021 NRT 0900 – 1240 HKG 32A/320 Mo/Th/Fr
GK021 NRT 0935 – 1315 HKG 32A/320 Su
GK022 HKG 1340 – 1900 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Th/Fr
GK22 HKG 1415 – 1935 NRT 32A/320 Su

Narita – Hong Kong 1 daily with A320-200. (Sep/1 - Oct/24)
GK021 NRT 0900 – 1240 HKG 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Fr
GK021 NRT 0935 – 1315 HKG 32A/320 We/Th/Sa/Su
GK022 HKG 1340 – 1900 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Fr
GK022 HKG 1415 – 1935 NRT 32A/320 We/Th/Sa/Su

Hong Kong becomes Jetstar Japan's first international destination from Narita, and the LCC group's fourth after Cairns [CNS/YBCS], Gold Coast [OOL/YBCG], and Melbourne/Tullamarine [MEL/YMML], all three of which are served by Australian sister Jetstar Airways [JQ/JST]. The growing Narita-based LCC carried their 9 millionth passenger on May 26th, the fastest of any Japanese LCC, and currently operates 21 routes covering 12 cities, including the former British colony.

In the coming months, Jetstar Japan intends to expand its international presence to destinations within a four-hour radius from Kansai and Narita, with South Korea and Taiwan also on its radar. Its fleet would be capped at 20 aircraft for now, as it concentrates on bringing up utilization. Asked about a third hub after Kansai (Jetstar Japan launches Kansai hub.), Chairman Masaru Kataoka said "We do need a few more hubs to increase utilization," though he refrained from disclosing any candidate cities. 

Source: Jetstar Japan, June 1st. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, June 1st. (in Japanese)

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