JAL to terminate Narita – Okinawa.

Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) has released their Winter 2014/2015 timetable, effective October 26th, 2014 through March 28th, 2015. It includes axing of the once-daily Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) – Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH) service, which is mostly aimed at connecting passengers for their international flights to and from Narita.

Boeing 777-346 JA8945 moments before touchdown at Okinawa's Naha Airport. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Meanwhile, Japan's second largest carrier will adjust capacity on other routes during the winter months. Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) to Izumo (IZO/RJOC) and Kumamoto (KMJ/RJFT) will see frequency increases from five to six and eight to nine, respectively, while Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) to Amami (ASJ/RJKA), Izumo, Matsuyama (MYJ/RJOM), and Miyazaki (KMI/RJFM) will all see one of its flights being cut.

Frequency Increases (DOMESTIC):
Haneda – Izumo from 5 to 6 daily.
Haneda – Kumamoto from 8 to 9 daily.

Frequency Reductions (DOMESTIC):
Fukuoka – Amami from 2 to 1 daily.
Fukuoka – Izumo from 3 to 2 daily.
Fukuoka – Matsuyama from 6 to 5 daily.
Fukuoka – Miyazaki from 10 to 9 daily.

Suspensions (DOMESTIC):
Narita – Naha 1 daily.

Currently, the once-daily Narita – Naha service operates with a 261-seat (42 Class J and 219 economy) Boeing 767-300. Load factors for the route for April - June last year hovered around 40 - 50%, however, it recorded 22.2% (down 20.2% from last year) for April this year, 25.3% (down 24.5% from last year) for May, and 32.3% (down 25.5% from last year) for June. Competition with Narita-based LCCs Jetstar Japan (GK/JJP), in which JAL owns a minority stake, and Vanilla Air (JW/VNL) has significantly increased. JAL's international-connecting passengers will still be able to book the route as a code-share with Jetstar Japan, which operates up to four daily round-trips.

JAL's international plans for Winter 2014/2015, including the anticipated resumption of the Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB) – Los Angeles (LAX/KLAX) route (JAL to resume Kansai – Los Angeles in Winter 2014/2015.), will be announced at a later date.

Reference: Japan Airlines, August 20th. (in Japanese)
Reference: Aviation Wire, August 20th. (in Japanese)

Vanilla Air launches Narita – Amami.

On July 1st, Vanilla Air (JW/VNL) launched Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) – Amami (ASJ/RJKA), becoming the first LCC to serve the leisure resort island situated in the Amami Archipelago between Kyushu and Okinawa. The first out-bound flight, JW821, operated by Airbus A320-216(WL) JA01VA touched down at Amami at 1309 JST, 14 minutes behind schedule, carrying 166 passengers. It was greeted by a water-cannon salute.

Airbus A320-216(SL) JA01VA prepares to depart Amami back to Narita. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Flight schedule (July 1st - August 31st):
JW821 NRT 1030 – 1255 ASJ 32A/320 Daily
JW822 ASJ 1410 – 1630 NRT 32A/320 Daily
 
Flight schedule (September 1st - 30th):
JW821 NRT 1450 – 1715 ASJ 32A/320 Daily
JW822 ASJ 1755 – 2015 NRT 32A/320 Daily
 
Flight schedule (September 30th - October 25th):
JW821 NRT 0815 – 1055 ASJ 32A/320 Daily
JW822 ASJ 1130 – 1340 NRT 32A/320 Daily

The return flight, JW822, departed Amami at 1407, three minutes early, with a load of 55 passengers. Although the assigned aircraft could seat up to 180, Vanilla Air caps its flights at 166 due to their mixed fleet of 180-seat new and 166-seat secondhand (Vanilla Air's 'LOHACO Jet' enters service.) machines. All three of the latter, sourced from sister All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA), will be replaced by brand-new 180-seat A320s between September and November this year.

President Tomonori Ishii thanked the locals saying "I'm very happy. We decided on the launch only four months after we restarted (Vanilla Air launches operations.), but the Governor of Amami as well as the locals put a lot of effort and I've felt it. Reservations are coming along." He told reporters "Our target load factor is 80%. We believe there's a potential demand," citing the island's wide range of available outdoor leisure activities including sports camps, surfing, diving, snorkeling, and fishing. The fledgling LCC also targets the estimated 200,000 people of Amami-origin living in the Kanto (Greater Tokyo) region.

Speaking about the flight cancellations due to the shortage of pilots (Vanilla Air cancels 154 flights in June due to pilot shortage.), Mr. Ishii apologized "We are very sorry for that. We'll have a stable operation from July onwards. We're putting more resources to recruiting."

The Government of Japan and the Prefectural Government of Kagoshima together agreed to allocate 2.7 billion JPY under Amami Archipelago Promotion Fund effective April 1st, where financial support will be provided to businesses that help boost economy in the islands, and Vanilla Air's once-daily service also operates under this scheme. Located approximately 380 kilometers (240 miles) south of the southern tip of Kyushu and 250 kilometres (160 miles) north of Okinawa, Amami Oshima (which translates to Amami Big Island) is an island of volcanic origin with a humid subtropical climate. Its coasts are surrounded by coral reefs. 

Until this day, Amami had been served only by Japan Airlines' (JL/JAL) group; JAL Express (JC/JEX) operates one daily each from Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) and Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) with Boeing 737-800s, while Japan Air Commuter (3X/JAC) links Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), Kagoshima (KOJ/RJFK), Kikai (KKX/RJKI), Okinoerabu (OKE/RJKB), Tokunoshima (TKN/RJKN), and Yoron (RNJ/RORY) with Bombardier DHC-8-400Qs and Saab SF340s. Ryukyu Air Commuter (RAC) flies to Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH). Amami has not escaped the radar of newcomers, however, as Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) in 2010 and 2011 briefly operated seasonal service to and from Kagoshima, which has not resumed since. 

In the long run, Vanilla Air intends to direct 70% of its routes to overseas, meaning less emphasis on the domestic market. From its small base at Narita, the wholly-owned subsidiary of ANA Holdings currently flies to Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH), Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC), Seoul/Incheon (ICN/RKSI), and Taipei/Taoyuan (TPE/RCTP) with a fleet of six A320s. China, Guam, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Saipan are being considered, and Mr. Ishii quoted "Our next destination will probably be an Asian neighbor," though he said plans have not materialized yet.

Reference: Aviation Wire, July 1st. (in Japanese)

Vanilla Air announces Amami Oshima.

On April 4th, Vanilla Air (JW/VNL) announced that they will launch one-time daily Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) - Amami (ASJ/RJKA) service on July 1st, making it the first LCC to serve the leisure resort island situated in the Amami Archipelago between Kyushu and Okinawa. Airbus A320s will operate the route. Fares and on-sale dates will be released on April 23rd.

Mostly-white Airbus A320-216(WL) JA02VA parked at Narita. (Photo: Vanilla Air)

Timetable:
JW821 NRT 1030 – 1255 ASJ 32A/320 Daily *July 1st - August 31st.
JW821 NRT 1450 – 1715 ASJ 32A/320 Daily *September 1st - 30th.
JW821 NRT 0815 – 1055 ASJ 32A/320 Daily *September 30th - October 25th.
JW822 ASJ 1410 – 1630 NRT 32A/320 Daily *July 1st - August 31st.
JW822 ASJ 1755 – 2015 NRT 32A/320 Daily *September 1st - 30th.
JW822 ASJ 1130 – 1340 NRT 32A/320 Daily *September 30th - October 25th.

The Government of Japan and the Prefectural Government of Kagoshima together agreed to allocate 2.7 billion JPY under 'Amami Archipelago Promotion Fund' effective April 1st, where financial support will be provided to businesses that help boost economy in the islands, and Vanilla Air's service will also fall under this scheme. Located approximately 380 kilometers (240 miles) south of the southern tip of Kyushu and 250 kilometres (160 miles) north of Okinawa, Amami Oshima (which translates to Amami Big Island) is an island of volcanic origin with a humid subtropical climate. Its coasts are surrounded by coral reefs.

Amami is currently served only by Japan Airlines' (JL/JAL) group; JAL Express (JC/JEX) operates one daily each from Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) and Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) with Boeing 737-800s, while Japan Air Commuter (3X/JAC) links Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), Kagoshima (KOJ/RJFK), Kikai (KKX/RJKI), Okinoerabu (OKE/RJKB), Tokunoshima (TKN/RJKN), and Yoron (RNJ/RORY) with Bombardier DHC-8-400Qs and Saab SF340s. Ryukyu Air Commuter (RAC) flies to Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH). Amami is not unfamiliar to lower-cost carriers, however, as Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) in 2010 and 2011 briefly operated seasonal service to and from Kagoshima, which has not resumed since.

JAL's Haneda service starts from one-way 15,000 JPY and climbs to 47,000 JPY for last-minute regular fares, so Vanilla Air's service will likely trigger another fare war. Owned 100% by All Nippon Airways' (NH/ANA) parent ANA Holdings, the Narita-based LCC has been targeting holiday and resort destinations. Amami will only be their third domestic destination after Naha and Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC).

Source: Vanilla Air, April 4th. (in Japanese)