Notice: Changes coming to ZipanguFlyer.

Effective October 25th, 2015, ZipanguFlyer will be changing coverage.

Boeing 787-8s of ANA and JAL at Haneda. Directly and indirectly, the two major carriers together still control, or have influence over, all domestic slots at Japan's most important airport serving the capital. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Until now, this blog has covered most, if not all of the news of airlines registered in Japan. However, due to my lack of time, I will be narrowing down coverage to mostly LCCs and non-ANA/JAL carriers. Local commuter airlines flying only specific essential air links will also be omitted.

Airlines that will continue to be covered:
AirAsia Japan [DJ], AIRDO [HD/ADO] (d.b.a. Air Do), Fuji Dream Airlines [JH/FDA], IBEX Airlines [FW/IBX], Jetstar Japan [GK/JJP], Peach Aviation [MM/APJ], Skymark Airlines [BC/SKY], Skynet Asia Airways [6J/SNJ] (d.b.a. Solaseed Air), Spring Airlines Japan [IJ/SJO], Star Flyer [7G/SFJ], Vanilla Air [JW/VNL]

Airlines that will no longer be regularly covered:
Air Japan [NQ/AJX], All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA], Amakusa Airlines [AHX], ANA Wings [EH/AKX], First Flying [DAK], Hokkaido Air System [HC/NTH], J-Air [XM/JLJ], Japan Air Commuter [3X/JAC], Japan Airlines [JL/JAL], Japan Transocean Air [NU/JTA], New Central Airservice [CUK], New Japan Aviation [NJA], Nippon Cargo Airlines [KZ/NCA], Oriental Air Bridge [OC/ORC], Ryukyu Air Commuter [RAC], Toho Air Service [THK]

Topics of ANA and JAL are already well covered by various media, while demand for news regarding local niche commuter airlines has been minimal, at least in English.

In the meantime, I will be experimenting giving the blog a personal touch. Thank you for your support and understanding. Happy travels!

JTA announces First Sunrise Flight from Nagoya.

Japan Transocean Air [NU/JTA], together with 70% shareholder Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] and Japan's largest travel agency JTB, is offering World Heritage Mt. Fuji First Sunrise Flight 2015, to be operated on January 1st, 2015 from Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG]. It will be operated as part of the airport's 10th anniversary series of events, and JTB will be responsible for marketing the packaged tour.

Boeing 737-4Q3 JA8939 Jimbei Jet and 737-446 JA8992 Sakura Jimbei depart JTA's hub at Naha Airport, Okinawa. Which will be assigned to the flight? (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Planned to be operated by one of JTA's Jimbei Jets, Boeing 737-4Q3 JA8939 Jimbei Jet or 737-446 JA8992 Sakura Jimbei (Encounter Japan Transocean Air's 'Sakura Jimbei'!), the flight will depart Chubu Centrair on the morning of new year's day between 0530 and 0600 JST, set out on a scenic flight to Mt. Fuji to view the sunrise, and return to the same airport by 0730. Limited to 48 groups, with up to three persons per group, the tour will cost 29,000 JPY per person for a group of three, 39,000 JPY per person for a group of two, and 71,000 JPY per person for solo participants.

Reference: JTB. (in Japanese)
Reference: FlightLiner, November 17th. (in Japanese)

JTA finalizes order for 12 Boeing 737-800s.

On May 30th, Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA) finalized an agreement with Boeing to acquire a dozen Boeing 737-800s to renew its fleet of 'Classic' 737-400s, with deliveries starting in January 2016. It was originally announced as a commitment on May 27th (Japan Transocean Air decides on Boeing 737-800s.).

Boeing 737-43Q JA8525 arrives at Naha after another island-connecting flight. Delivered in 1995, this aircraft seats 150 in an all-economy configuration and is deployed primarily on intra-Okinawan flights. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Their new 737-800s will have the latest PIPs (Performance Improvement Packages) incorporated, delivering a 2% improvement in fuel efficiency, and will also boast Boeing's Sky Interior, with modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins. JTA is planning to configure these aircraft with 165 seats, comprising 20 Class J (JAL Group's domestic business class) and 145 economy seats, standardizing with 70%-owner Japan Airlines' (JL/JAL) domestic 737-800s.

Boeing 737-43Q JA8526 is seen taking off from Tottori on a charter flight to Miyako. Delivered in 1997, it was their last Arc of the Sun livery aircraft with JTA titles and was de-registered on May 28th, 2014, reducing the fleet to a dozen. (Photo: Tottori Airport)

The Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH)-based airline has the option to convert to the upcoming 737 MAX from their seventh aircraft onwards, and JTA has said it would consider if the economics of the 737 MAX outweigh the commonality advantages of sticking with just the 737-800. JTA currently operates an all-737 fleet of 12 737-400s, which seat either 145 (20 Class J and 125 economy) or 150 (all economy).

Although the 737-800 is a 13% capacity growth over the 737-400 it is replacing, JTA acquired it because they don't have too much of a choice. And 12 means a one-to-one replacement, translating to no significant network expansion planned for at least the foreseeable future. In the past, JTA has experimented with regional international charters connecting Okinawa with Hong Kong and Taiwan, however, with Peach Aviation (MM/APJ) opening up a base in Naha in July (Peach announces Naha - Fukuoka.) and Taiwanese and Chinese carriers, which are generally lower-cost than Japan's full service carriers, cementing their presence, they will likely remain a domestic airline.

Source: Boeing, May 30th. (in English)

*Post edited/updated on June 8th.

JTA to boost Haneda - Ishigaki with Boeing 767.

On April 24th, Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA) announced that they will add a second round-trip between Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) and Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG), in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, during the peak summer vacation travel period from July 18th to August 31st. The additional flight will be operated by a Boeing 767 wet-leased from Japan Airlines (JL/JAL).

JTA's Boeing 737-446 JA8999 'SWAL Jet' (retro-jet) in the livery of Southwest Air Lines arrives at Naha. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Frequency increases:
Haneda – Ishigaki from 1 to 2 daily with 763/734.
NU071 HND 0645 – 0940 ISG 734 Daily
NU073 HND 1350 – 1645 ISG 763 Daily *NEW. Operated by JAL. Jul/18 – Aug/31.
NU070 ISG 1030 – 1330 HND 734 Daily
NU076 ISG 1725 – 2020 HND 763 Daily *NEW. Operated by JAL. Jul/18 – Aug/31.

JTA used to operate a Boeing 767 sourced from JAL every summer from 1990 to 1995, mostly on wet-leases. During that period, Boeing 767-346 JA8267 was dry-leased from JAL from May 1992 to March 1993 in full Southwest Air Lines (JTA's former name) livery and 767-246 JA8232 from June 1993 to October 1994 in JTA's earlier color scheme.

JAL Boeing 767-346 JA8268 taxies at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Ishigaki Island is the prefecture's third largest island by area, behind Okinawa and Iriomote, and is located only 270 kilometers from Taiwan. Surrounded by crystal clear waters and pristine coral reefs, it has been the most popular diving destination in Japan.

History of JTA can be traced back to 1967, when they were set up as Southwest Air Lines to take over Okinawa's intra-island routes then operated by Air America (AAM). Okinawa was controlled by the U.S.A. after World War II until 1972, and the U.S. military still retains a significant presence due to the island's strategic location in the Pacific. The current name 'Japan Transocean Air' was adopted on July 1st, 1993, and they are presently owned 70.1% by JAL, 12.9% by Okinawa Prefecture, and the remainder by local businesses.

Source: Japan Transocean Air, April 24th. (PDF; in Japanese)

Japan Transocean Air decides on Boeing 737-800s.

On March 27th, Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA) announced that they have chosen the Boeing 737-800 to succeed its B737-400s. Deliveries will start in January 2016, and a dozen will be acquired to replace the current airframes on a one-to-one basis. JTA currently operates 13 B737-400s, of which one will be phased out this May.

A rendering of JTA's Boeing 737-800s. Will the 'Jimbei couple' be continued with the new jets? (Image: Boeing)

The new B737-800s will have the latest PIPs (Performance Improvement Packages) incorporated and will also be fitted with Boeing's Sky Interior with Dreamliner-style cabin lighting. JTA is planning to seat 165, comprising 20 Class J (domestic business class) and 145 economy seats, standardizing with 70%-owner Japan Airlines' (JL/JAL) B737-800s. JTA's current B737-400s seat either 145 (20 Class J and 125 economy) or 150 (all economy). The Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH)-based airline has the option to convert to the upcoming B737 MAX from their seventh aircraft onwards.

JTA's fleet renewal comes at a transitional period, when Boeing's best-selling narrowbody jetliner will start to move on to its fourth generation. They probably wanted the newest version, but with their B737-400s showing its age with the oldest being 19 years old, they couldn't wait. Deliveries of the MAX are to begin in 2017, but early delivery slots are probably already full. And they do have the option to convert half of the order to the MAX, but personally speaking, they probably won't exercise it to keep commonality, unless they acquire more and Boeing offers JTA to take back the B737-800s.

Source: Japan Transocean Air, March 27th. (PDF; in Japanese)

JAL's fleet strategies for 'Rolling Plan 2014'.

On March 27th, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) released its 'Rolling Plan 2014', as part of their mid-to-long-term strategies for fiscal years 2012 - 2016.

Boeing 777-289 JA8978 'Ganbare Nippon!' supporting the national team for the Sochi 2014 Olympics/Paralympics. The decals were taken off in early March. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Nothing new regarding their upcoming network developments was revealed, including strengthening their dual international hubs at Tokyo's Haneda (HND/RJTT) and Narita (NRT/RJAA) airports (JAL announces Summer 2014 international plans.), while also planning to restart viable long-haul services from Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) and Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB) (JAL to resume Kansai to London and Los Angeles in 2015.), and relaunching regional domestic routes (JAL to resume six domestic routes for Summer 2014.), most of which were suspended during JAL's bankruptcy.

However, some new updates regarding its fleet plans have been provided. Deliveries of Boeing 787-9s, the first stretched variant of the Dreamliner, will start in fiscal year 2015, and the airline plans to have 33 Dreamliners by the end of fiscal year 2016. JAL has ordered 25 B787-8s and 20 B787-9s, of which 14 of the former have already been delivered. Meanwhile, the renewal of Japan Transocean Air's (NU/JTA) B737 'Classics' fleet will also start in fiscal year 2015. The Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH)-based subsidiary currently operates 13 B737-400s. All of JAL's 50 B737-800s ordered have now be delivered, so are additional orders on the way? Older B777s and B767s will gradually be retired, and the plan calls for a fleet of 82 international and 140 domestic aircraft (222 total) by fiscal year 2016's end. Preparations are also under way to introduce Airbus A350 XWBs from fiscal year 2019.

On the in-flight product side, JAL will start putting its award-winning 'Sky Suite' seats and interiors on its B787s delivered from fiscal year 2014. One additional B787-8 remains to be delivered this month for a total of 15, so maybe their 16th will have it? The stretched B787-9s will be configured with 'Sky Suite' from first delivery. Introduced on their flagship B777-300ERs in January 2013, 'Sky Suite' was expanded to selected B767-300ERs as 'Sky Suite II' in December 2013 and additional airframes are receiving the refurbishment (JAL adding more Sky Suite destinations.). New 'JAL Sky Next' revamped domestic aircraft are on schedule for July (JAL Sky Next new domestic product unveiled.) along with Japan's first domestic in-flight Wi-Fi service. Meanwhile, their international on-board Wi-Fi branded 'Sky Wi-Fi', which until now has only been offered on B777-300ERs, will be expanded to B777-200ERs, B767-300ERs, as well as B787s. Panasonic Avionics is powering the service with their eXConnect product (domestic Wi-Fi will be provided by Gogo), and tests revealed there aren't issues with the composite-built Dreamliner.

Archrival All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) only introduced limited Wi-Fi on some international aircraft just recently (ANA to offer in-flight Wi-Fi for international from March.), and has been repeatedly talking of technical difficulties, including issues providing the service on Dreamliners. JAL is taking the lead here, but again, ANA will likely complain about JAL's cost advantages gained during their government-led bankruptcy protection.

Source: Japan Airlines, March 27th. (PDF; in Japanese)

Ryukyu Air Commuter to fly island-hopping charters.

Starting today, Ryukyu Air Commuter (RAC) will be operating island-hopping charters in the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa prefecture, in the southernmost region of Japan. A De Havilland Canada DHC-8-100Q will operate a Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH) - Kumejima (UEO/ROKJ) - Miyako (MMY/ROMY) - Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG) - Naha rotation in four days. RAC will operate 10 rotations between March 11th and 23rd.

De Havilland Canada DHC-8-103Q JA8973 taxies at Naha. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Flight schedule:
RAC3801 OKA 1215 - 1250 UEO DH1 March 11 - 20
RAC3803 UEO 1335 - 1425 MMY DH1 March 12 - 21
RAC3805 MMY 1450 - 1545 ISG DH1 March 13 - 22
RAC3808 ISG 1630 - 1735 OKA DH1 March 14 - 23

Now operated for seven consecutive years, these flights are part of a packaged tour arranged and sold by Tokyo-based travel agency Club Tourism International to visit the Kumejima, Miyako, and Yaeyama islands. About 300 participants will come from Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Flight RAC3805 is expected to provide a sightseeing opportunity of the Yaeyama Islands before landing at Ishigaki.

RAC is a commuter airline connecting the Ryukyu Islands operating a fleet of one DHC-8-300Q and four DHC-8-100Qs. It is owned 72.9% by JAL Group's Okinawan arm Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA), 5.1% by the Government of Okinawa, and the rest by local businesses.

Source: Japan Transocean Air, March 7th. (PDF; in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, March 10th. (in Japanese)

Encounter Japan Transocean Air's 'Sakura Jimbei'!

Up close and personal with Japan Transocean Air's (NU/JTA) second Jimbei Jet, Boeing 737-446 JA8992 'Sakura Jimbei', which entered service on January 5th (Japan Transocean Air introduces 'Sakura Jimbei'.). According to JTA, she is the girlfriend of the first Jimbei Jet, Boeing 737-4Q3 JA8939 'Jinta'.

A tug and baggage vehicle were also painted in the same design. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Jimbei translates to whale shark, or Rhincodon typus. In collaboration with Okinawa's renowned Churaumi Aquarium, the two aircraft will ply the Japanese skies until December 2017.

Sakura Jimbei's belly has a baby shark! (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Along with Jinta, Sakura Jimbei's next-day schedule is released on JTA's website (in Japanese only).

Source: Aviation Wire, January 5th. (in Japanese)

Japan Transocean Air introduces 'Sakura Jimbei'.

As planned, Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH)-based Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA) today introduced the second Jimbei Jet, nicknamed 'Sakura Jimbei', the second special livery in collaboration with Okinawa's famous Churaumi Aquarium, on one of their 13 Boeing 737-400s. Jimbei translates to whale shark, or Rhincodon typus. The first revenue flight with these colors was NU565, service from Naha to Miyako (MMY/ROMY).

Sakura Jimbei. (Image: JTA)

B737-446 JA8992, which began its career with Japan Airlines in 1994 and migrated to JTA after serving JAL Express (JC/JEX) from 1998 to 2011, was chosen for the livery. The aircraft was painted in Taiwan and delivered to Naha on January 3rd.

JA8992's belly design. (Image: JTA)

Along with the first Jimbei Jet, B737-4Q3 JA8939, which is painted blue and was introduced in December 2012, the pink whale shark will swim around Japanese skies until December 2017. It is expected that JTA will release the next day's schedule of Sakura Jimbei on their website, as has been the case with the original Jimbei Jet and the SWAL Retrojet (B737-446 JA8999).

JTA and Churaumi Aquarium's official logo for the Jimbei Jets. (Image: JTA)

Look carefully... she has two baby whale sharks on her belly!

ANA and JAL's First Sunrise Flights.

Happy New Year to all of our readers! I would like to give warm regards and best wishes for a healthy and happy year ahead.

Both domestic majors operated so-called First Sunrise Flight charters, or special early-morning flights on January 1st, which place passengers in the vicinity of Mt. Fuji just as the sun is starting to come up. These sightseeing flights return to the same respective departure airports.

All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) operated two flights from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT); NH2001 with Boeing 747-481/D JA8961 and NH2014 with Boeing 777-281/ER JA715A, and two flights from Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG); NH2611 with Boeing 767-381 JA8569 and NH2020 with Boeing 737-881 JA57AN. Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) operated two from Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA); JL4901 with Boeing 767-346/ER JA612J and JL4903 with Boeing 737-846 JA304J, and one from Haneda; JL2611 with Boeing 767-346 JA8988. JAL Group's other flights were J-Air's (XM/JLJ) XM3955 from Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB) with Embraer ERJ170-100STD JA221J and Japan Transocean Air's (NU/JTA) NU2014 from Chubu Centrair with Boeing 737-4Q3 JA8939.

This would be the last time the Boeing 747-400D is used for the occasion, as the remaining three examples with ANA are slated for retirement by March. JA8966 is the next to be phased out at the end of January, and JA8960 and JA8961 will be the last two. The 565-seat aircraft currently only serves the Haneda - Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH) and Haneda - Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) routes.