Sunday, August 30, 2015

Peach Aviation commences Kansai – Miyazaki.

On August 28th, Peach Aviation [MM/APJ] started serving Miyazaki [KMI/RJFM] with a daily evening flight to and from Osaka/Kansai [KIX/RJBB], becoming the first LCC to land in the last prefecture in Kyushu yet to be served by one (Peach loads Kansai – Miyazaki.). The route used to be operated by All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] until March 2007. The growing LCC flies into three other Kyushu points: Fukuoka [FUK/RJFF], Kagoshima [KOJ/RJFK], and Nagasaki [NGS/RJFU].

Airbus A320-214 JA805P departs Miyazaki for the first return leg to Kansai. Peach currently operates 16 aircraft with the next to arrive in November. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Inaugural flight MM189, flown by Airbus A320-214 JA805P, departed 19 minutes late due to traffic congestion at Kansai, and arrived into Miyazaki 14 minutes late at 1944 JST. It was fully booked, however, the final passenger count was 169 including a child. The first return leg, flight MM190, departed at 2020, 20 minutes behind schedule, with a load of 172 passengers, including one infant, and arrived back at Kansai at 2121. Passengers were given Peach-branded beach sandals along with luggage tags.

Flight Schedule:
Kansai – Miyazaki NEW daily with A320-200.
MM189 KIX 1825 – 1930 KMI 320 Daily
MM190 KMI 2000 – 2105 KIX 320 Daily

Governor of Miyazaki Shunji Kouno, who greeted the first arrival, enthused "It's a flight we've been waiting for. With the new link, our ties to the Kansai (Greater Osaka) region in terms of economy, tourism, and trade only grows." Meanwhile, Shinichi Inoue, CEO of Peach commented "Miyazaki and Kansai have a deep relationship. We want to tap into that demand," adding "We're targeting the VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market as well. We encourage everyone to fly with us as if you ride a train."

Fares range from 4,590 JPY for a Happy Peach ticket, which only includes a 10-kilogram carry-on baggage allowance, and go up to 20,990 JPY for last-minute, flexible and inclusive tickets. A special fare starting at 2,290 JPY will be offered until August 30th to help promote the new link. Although Peach is the sole carrier connecting the airport with Kansai, ANA flies six times daily to Osaka/Itami [ITM/RJOO] while Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] also flies five times daily to the convenient downtown Osaka airport.

Source: Aviation Wire, 2015 August 28th. (in Japanese)
Source: Traicy, 2015 August 29th. (in Japanese)

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