Jetstar Japan starts Nagoya and Kansai to Manila.

Jetstar Japan [GK/JJP] commenced Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG] – Manila/Ninoy Aquino [MNL/RPLL] on April 1st, followed by Osaka/Kansai [KIX/RJBB] – Manila on April 7th (Jetstar Japan reveals Manila, downsizes Kumamoto.). Japan's now largest LCC had only added the Filipino capital on March 15th with service from Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA] (Jetstar Japan launches Narita – Manila.). All flights are operated by 180-seat Airbus A320-200s.

Airbus A320-232(SL) JA12JJ prepares for another flight at Narita. Jetstar Japan has capped its fleet at 20 since December 2014 and growth has been achieved by increasing aircraft utilization. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Chubu Centrair – Manila started with four weekly flights, which increases to seven weekly during peak travel periods. Kansai – Manila launched with up to four times weekly, however, sister Jetstar Asia Airways [3K/JSA] already operates three times weekly on the Kansai – Manila route, and together the Jetstar Group will offer up to seven-times-weekly service. Along with Jetstar Airways [JQ/JST], the three carriers had received antitrust immunity from Japanese authorities to coordinate schedules and prices on routes between Japan and Taiwan and the Philippines last October.

The inaugural flight from Chubu Centrair on April 1st departed at 2047 JST, 17 minutes behind schedule, with a load of 179 passengers, including five children. A320-232(SL) JA11JJ was assigned. Meanwhile, the first revenue flight from Kansai on April 7th departed at 2048 JST, 18 minutes behind schedule, carrying 169 passengers. It was operated by A320-232 JA04JJ.

Flight Schedule:
Chubu Centrair – Manila/Ninoy Aquino NEW up to daily with A320-200.
GK095 NGO 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Fr/Sa/Su *Apr/1-3.
GK095 NGO 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Mo/Fr/Sa/Su *Apr/4-28, May/9-31.
GK095 NGO 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Daily *Apr/29-May/8, Jun/1-30.
GK094 MNL 0105 – 0555 NGO 32A/320 Mo/Sa/Su *Apr/2-4.
GK094 MNL 0105 – 0555 NGO 32A/320 Mo/Fr/Sa/Su *Apr/5-29, May/10-Jun/1.
GK094 MNL 0105 – 0555 NGO 32A/320 Daily *Apr/30-May/9, Jun/2-Jul/1.

Kansai – Manila/Ninoy Aquino NEW up to 4 weekly with A320-200.
GK081 KIX 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Tu/We/Th/Fr *Apr/7-28, Jun/1-30.
GK081 KIX 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Tu/Th *Apr/29-May/31.
GK080 MNL 0035 – 0530 KIX 32A/320 We/Th/Fr/Sa *Apr/8-29, Jun/2-Jul/1.
GK080 MNL 0035 – 0530 KIX 32A/320 We/Fr *Apr/30-Jun/1.

"Manila is an important city as we expand internationally," said Chairman Masaru Kataoka at Chubu Centrair on the inaugural day, adding "The Chubu (Greater Nagoya) region's Filipino population is big, and there is significant demand for VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) travel, something we LCCs are good at catering to and expanding." Mr. Kataoka also said "It may not be common to see airlines launching a destination with three routes at the same time, but that would enable us to leverage synergies and we have a single strategy for the three routes altogether."

Manila becomes Jetstar Japan's second overseas destination from Chubu Centrair after Taipei/Taoyuan [TPE/RCTP] (Jetstar Japan adds Nagoya and Kansai to Taipei.), and the third from Kansai after Hong Kong [HKG/VHHH] (Jetstar Japan goes international with Kansai – Hong Kong.) and Taipei. Chubu Centrair – Manila sees Cebu Air [5J/CEB] (d.b.a. Cebu Pacific Air) flying four times weekly and Philippine Airlines [PR/PAL] daily, while Kansai – Manila has Cebu Pacific operating five times weekly, Jetstar Asia three times weekly, and Philippine Airlines daily. Zest Airways [Z2/EZD] (d.b.a. Philippines AirAsia) is preparing to enter the Philippines – Japan market during the second half of this year.

Source: Travel Watch, 2016 April 1st. (in Japanese)
Source: Chunichi Shimbun, 2016 April 2nd. (in Japanese)
Source: Flight Liner, 2016 April 8th. (in Japanese)

Jetstar Japan launches Narita – Manila.

On March 15th, Jetstar Japan [GK/JJP] added Manila/Ninoy Aquino [MNL/RPLL] with initial service from its Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA] hub (Jetstar Japan reveals Manila, downsizes Kumamoto.), making the Filipino capital their third international destination after Hong Kong [HKG/VHHH] (Jetstar Japan goes international with Kansai – Hong Kong.) and Taipei/Taoyuan [TPE/RCTP] (Jetstar Japan launches Taipei, next up Manila.). All flights are operated by 180-seat Airbus A320-200s. They became the first Japanese budget carrier to serve the Philippines.

Airbus A320-232(SL) JA15JJ departs for Jetstar Japan's maiden flight to the Philippines. Its fleet has been capped at 20 since December 2014 and growth has been achieved by increasing aircraft utilization, which is expected to approach maximum when frequency on the three new routes to Manila are increased. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

The inaugural outbound flight GK041 was operated by A320-232(SL) JA15JJ, which departed Narita at 2039 JST, 34 minutes behind schedule. It arrived at Manila past midnight at 0012 PHT, just seven minutes behind published time. The three-times-weekly service will be up-gauged to up to daily from April 29th. "Filipinos account for the third largest expatriate population in Japan. There's a huge opportunity there," said CEO Gerry Turner, revealing booking rates for March are exceeding 90%.

Flight Schedule:
Narita – Manila/Ninoy Aquino NEW up to daily with A320-200.
GK041 NRT 2005 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Tu/Th/Sa *Mar/15-19.
GK041 NRT 2005 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Mo/Tu/We/Th/Sa *Mar/20-26.
GK041 NRT 2010 – 0010(+1) MNL 32A/320 Fr *Mar/20-26.
GK041 NRT 2030 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Tu/Th/Fr/Sa/Su *Mar/27-Apr/3.
GK041 NRT 2030 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Tu/We/Th/Fr/Sa/Su *Apr/4-28.
GK041 NRT 2030 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Daily *Apr/29-May/8, Jun/1-30.
GK041 NRT 2030 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Tu/Th/Fr/Sa/Su *May/9-31.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0615 NRT 32A/320 We/Fr/Su *Mar/16-20.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0615 NRT 32A/320 Tu/We/Th/Fr/Sa/Su *Mar/21-27.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0635 NRT 32A/320 Mo *Mar/28.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0635 NRT 32A/320 We/Fr *Mar/29-Apr/4.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0635 NRT 32A/320 We/Th *Apr/5-29.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0635 NRT 32A/320 We *May/10-Jun/10.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Sa/Su *Mar/29-Apr/4.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Sa/Su *Apr/5-29.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Daily *Apr/30-May/9.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Sa/Su *May/10-Jun/1.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Daily *Jun/2-Jul/1.

All flights are timed to leave Japan in the evening, arriving in the Philippines past midnight, and make a red-eye departure for an early-morning return back to Japan. This helps to increase aircraft utilization, as Narita has a curfew between 2300 and 0600 JST and most other domestic airports are also closed during midnight hours. Narita – Manila is currently served by All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] daily, Cebu Air [5J/CEB] (d.b.a. Cebu Pacific Air) daily, Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] twice daily, Delta Air Lines [DL/DAL] daily, and Philippine Airlines [PR/PAL] twice daily.

Jetstar Japan will also link Manila with Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG] starting on April 1st and Osaka/Kansai [KIX/RJBB] on April 7th. Last October, Jetstar Airways [JQ/JST], Jetstar Asia Airways [3K/JSA], and Jetstar Japan had received antitrust immunity to coordinate flight times and prices on international routes to and from Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines. The Singapore/Changi [SIN/WSSS]-based sister's existing Kansai – Taipei and Kansai – Manila services are included in the scheme.

According to Qantas Airways' [QF/QFA] earnings report released on February 23rd, Jetstar Japan's EBIT for the second half of 2015 was in the black, making it the first time the Narita-based LCC recorded a profit since starting operations in July 2012. Their system-wide load factor for the same period also increased to 84% compared to 75% one year ago. Mr. Turner attributes the turnaround to its second hub at curfew-free Kansai (Jetstar Japan launches Kansai hub.), new international flights, and lower fuel costs. For FY2014 ending in June 2015, it had posted a 7.9 billion JPY loss and its two major shareholders Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] and Qantas together injected 7 billion JPY in November 2014 and another 4 billion JPY in June 2015.

Source: Asahi Shimbun, 2016 February 25th. (in Japanese)
Source: Asahi Shimbun, 2016 February 25th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, 2016 February 25th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, 2016 March 16th. (in Japanese)

Jetstar Japan reveals Manila, downsizes Kumamoto.

On January 19th, Jetstar Japan [GK/JJP] announced that it will add Manila/Ninoy Aquino [MNL/RPLL] to its network this spring (Jetstar Japan launches Taipei, next up Manila.), with service from Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA] commencing on March 15th, Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG] on April 1st, and Osaka/Kansai [KIX/RJBB] on April 7th. All flights will be operated by 180-seat Airbus A320-200s. This marks the first time a Japanese LCC lands in the Philippines.

Airbus A320-232(SL) JA19JJ taxies for departure from Narita's Terminal 3, dedicated to LCCs. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Narita – Manila will initially start off with three weekly round-trips, gradually increasing to up to seven times weekly. Chubu Centrair – Manila will commence with up to seven weekly, and Kansai – Manila with up to four times weekly. Sister Jetstar Asia Airways [3K/JSA] already operates three times weekly on the Kansai – Manila route, and together the Jetstar Group will offer up to seven-times-weekly service. Along with Jetstar Airways [JQ/JST], the three had received antitrust immunity from Japanese authorities to coordinate schedules and prices on routes between Japan and Taiwan and the Philippines last October.

Flight Schedule:
Narita – Manila/Ninoy Aquino NEW up to daily with A320-200.
GK041 NRT 2005 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Tu/Th/Sa *Mar/15-19.
GK041 NRT 2005 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Mo/Tu/We/Th/Sa *Mar/20-26.
GK041 NRT 2010 – 0010(+1) MNL 32A/320 Fr *Mar/20-26.
GK041 NRT 2030 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Tu/Th/Fr/Sa/Su *Mar/27-Apr/3.
GK041 NRT 2030 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Tu/We/Th/Fr/Sa/Su *Apr/4-28.
GK041 NRT 2030 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Daily *Apr/29-May/8, Jun/1-30.
GK041 NRT 2030 – 0005(+1) MNL 32A/320 Tu/Th/Fr/Sa/Su *May/9-31.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0615 NRT 32A/320 We/Fr/Su *Mar/16-20.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0615 NRT 32A/320 Tu/We/Th/Fr/Sa/Su *Mar/21-27.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0635 NRT 32A/320 Mo *Mar/28.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0635 NRT 32A/320 We/Fr *Mar/29-Apr/4.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0635 NRT 32A/320 We/Th *Apr/5-29.
GK040 MNL 0105 – 0635 NRT 32A/320 We *May/10-Jun/10.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Sa/Su *Mar/29-Apr/4.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Sa/Su *Apr/5-29.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Daily *Apr/30-May/9.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Mo/Tu/Sa/Su *May/10-Jun/1.
GK040 MNL 0035 – 0605 NRT 32A/320 Daily *Jun/2-Jul/1.

Chubu Centrair – Manila/Ninoy Aquino NEW up to daily with A320-200.
GK095 NGO 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Fr/Sa/Su *Apr/1-3.
GK095 NGO 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Mo/Fr/Sa/Su *Apr/4-28, May/9-31.
GK095 NGO 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Daily *Apr/29-May/8, Jun/1-30.
GK094 MNL 0105 – 0555 NGO 32A/320 Mo/Sa/Su *Apr/2-4.
GK094 MNL 0105 – 0555 NGO 32A/320 Mo/Fr/Sa/Su *Apr/5-29, May/10-Jun/1.
GK094 MNL 0105 – 0555 NGO 32A/320 Daily *Apr/30-May/9, Jun/2-Jul/1.

Kansai – Manila/Ninoy Aquino NEW up to 4 weekly with A320-200.
GK081 KIX 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Tu/We/Th/Fr *Apr/7-28, Jun/1-30.
GK081 KIX 2030 – 2335 MNL 32A/320 Tu/Th *Apr/29-May/31.
GK080 MNL 0035 – 0530 KIX 32A/320 We/Th/Fr/Sa *Apr/8-29, Jun/2-Jul/1.
GK080 MNL 0035 – 0530 KIX 32A/320 We/Fr *Apr/30-Jun/1.

All flights leave Japan in the evening, arriving in the Philippines past midnight, and make a red-eye departure for an early-morning return back to Japan. Tickets went on sale at 1600 JST today, and promotional fares are offered for all three new routes starting from one-way 990 JPY, excluding tax and fuel surcharges. The promotion is limited to 2,000 seats, and are only available for 26 hours. Normal one-way fares start from 9,000 JPY for Narita – Manila and Chubu Centrair – Manila and 8,500 JPY for Kansai – Manila, both excluding tax and fuel surcharges.

Narita – Manila is currently served by All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] (daily), Cebu Air [5J/CEB] (d.b.a. Cebu Pacific Air) (daily), Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] (x2 daily), Delta Air Lines [DL/DAL] (daily), and Philippine Airlines [PR/PAL] (x2 daily), while Chubu Centrair – Manila sees Cebu Pacific (x4 weekly) and Philippine Airlines (daily) and Kansai – Manila has Cebu Pacific (x5 weekly), Jetstar Asia (x3 weekly), and Philippine Airlines (daily). Zest Airways [Z2/EZD] (d.b.a. AirAsia Zest) is preparing to enter the Philippines – Japan market during the second half of 2016.

Meanwhile, on January 15th, Jetstar Japan had disclosed that it would axe Kansai – Kumamoto [KMJ/RJFT] effective March 27th, the beginning of the Summer 2016 timetable. It was initially launched on October 26th, 2014 with two round-trips per day (Jetstar Japan starts three routes from Kumamoto.), but later reduced to daily. Recent load factors have reportedly hovered around 50-60%. It becomes the third route suspended by the growing LCC after Chubu Centrair – Kumamoto and Kansai – Oita [OIT/RJFO] (Jetstar Japan cuts Nagoya – Kumamoto and Kansai – Oita.).

Source: Jetstar Japan, 2016 January 15th. (in Japanese)
Source: Jetstar Japan, 2016 January 19th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, 2016 January 19th. (in Japanese)

JAL Boeing 787-9 due in July; expands Sky Suite cities.

Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] will place its first Boeing 787-9 in service on the Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA] – Jakarta/Soukarno-Hatta [CGK/WIII] route in July. The stretched variant of the Dreamliner will boast JAL's latest Sky Suite product with a generous layout of only 195 seats; 44 fully lie-flat Sky Suite (business class) seats, 35 Sky Premium (premium economy), and 116 Sky Wider II (economy class).

Boeing 777-346/ER JA736J on final approach to Narita. JAL has completed reconfiguring all 13 flagship 777-300ERs with the Sky Suite product. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

The 787-9s will basically have the same seats as the Sky Suite-configured 787-8s, the first of which entered service on the Narita – Frankfurt/Main [FRA/EDDF] route on December 1st (JAL's Sky Suite 787 makes debut.). The Sky Suite 787-8s also seat only 161, which includes 38 Sky Suite, 35 Sky Premium, and 88 Sky Wider II seats.

Meanwhile, Japan's second largest carrier is expanding Sky Suite destinations during the Summer 2015 timetable. New routes to receive the Sky Suite 787 are from Narita to Delhi/Indira Gandhi [DEL/VIDP] from March 29th, Helsinki/Vantaa [HEL/EFHK] from June 1st, and to Paris/Charles de Gaulle [CDG/LFPG] from March 29th. The Sky Suite 767 will be expanded to include Honolulu [HNL/PHNL] and Manila/Ninoy Aquino [MNL/RPLL] from Narita on March 29th.

Aimed at evoking a one-class higher feel, JAL's award-winning Sky Suite product is now available on 13 777-300ERs, four 787-8s, and nine 767-300ERs. The first Sky Suite 777 entered service on Narita – London/Heathrow [LHR/EGLL] in January 2013, and the Sky Suite 767 followed on the Narita – Vancouver [YVR/CYVR] route in December that year. In the new configuration, the 777-300ER seats eight in first, 49 in business, 40 in premium economy, and 135 in economy (232 total), and the 767-300ER seats 24 in business and 175 in economy (199 total).

Source: Japan Airlines, January 21st. (in Japanese)
Source: Japan Airlines, January 21st. (in Japanese)

ANA's Summer 2014 international expansion.

Here's a review of All Nippon Airways' (NH/ANA) timetable changes for international routes from Summer 2014, which started on March 30th. Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) sees international operations being expanded dramatically, resulting from ANA's receiving of 11 prized slots for international routes at the heavily-regulated airport near downtown Tokyo.

Boeing 777-281 JA711A in Star Alliance livery taxies at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

New Routes/Resumptions:
Haneda - Hanoi/Noi Bai (HAN/VVNB) NEW 1 daily with 76W/763.
NH857 HND 0855 – 1205 HAN 76W/763 Daily *788 from June 1st.
NH858 HAN 1400 – 2105 HND 76W/763 Daily *788 from June 1st.

Haneda - Jakarta/Soekarno-Hatta (CGK/WIII) NEW 1 daily with 788.
NH855 HND 1005 – 1540 CGK 788 Daily
NH856 CGK 2125 – 0710(+1) HND 788 Daily

Haneda - London/Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) NEW 1 daily with 77W.
NH277 HND 1130 – 1600 LHR 77W Daily
NH278 LHR 1935 – 1515(+1) HND 77W Daily

Haneda - Manila/Ninoy Aquino (MNL/RPLL) NEW 1 daily with 76W/763.
NH869 HND 0955 – 1330 MNL 76W/763 Daily *788 from May 1st.
NH870 MNL 1440 – 1955 HND 76W/763 Daily *788 from May 1st.

Haneda - Munich (MUC/EDDM) NEW 1 daily with 788.
NH275 HND 1235 – 1720 MUC 788 Daily
NH276 MUC 2125 – 1550(+1) HND 788 Daily

Haneda - Paris/Charles de Gaulle (CDG/LFPG) NEW 1 daily with 77W.
NH215 HND 1025 – 1545 CDG 77W Daily
NH216 CDG 2110 – 1600(+1) HND 77W Daily

Haneda - Vancouver (YVR/CYVR) NEW 1 daily with 76W/763.
NH116 HND 2155 – 1455 YVR 76W/763 Daily
NH115 YVR 1655 – 1905(+1) HND 76W/763 Daily

Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) - Dusseldorf (DUS/EDDL) NEW 1 daily with 788.
NH941 NRT 1100 – 1600 DUS 788 Daily
NH942 DUS 1835 – 1300(+1) NRT 788 Daily

Frequency Increases:
Haneda - Bangkok/Suvarnabhumi (BKK/VTBS) from 1 to 2 daily.
NH849 HND 0025 – 0500 BKK 772 Daily *788 from August 1st.
NH847 HND 1050 – 1525 BKK 76W/763 Daily *NEW. 788 from July 1st.
NH848 BKK 1025 – 1845 HND 772 Daily *NEW. 788 from August 1st.
NH850 BKK 2225 – 0640(+1) HND 76W/763 Daily *788 from July 1st.

Haneda - Frankfurt/Main (FRA/EDDF) from 1 to 2 daily.
NH203 HND 0100 – 0610 FRA 788 Daily
NH223 HND 1125 – 1635 FRA 77W Daily *NEW
NH204 FRA 1200 – 0625(+1) HND 788 Daily
NH224 FRA 2045 – 1455(+1) HND 77W Daily *NEW

Haneda - Singapore/Changi (SIN/WSSS) from 1 to 2 daily.
NH841 HND 1105 – 1720 SIN 788 Daily *NEW
NH843 HND 2350 – 0615(+1) SIN 788 Daily
NH842 SIN 1150 – 2000 HND 788 Daily *NEW
NH844 SIN 2215 – 0630(+1) HND 788 Daily

Schedule Changes:
Haneda - Seoul/Gimpo (GMP/RKSS) schedule adjustments and equipment changes.
NH1161 HND 0850 – 1115 GMP 772 Daily
NH1165 HND 1620 – 1845 GMP 772 Daily
NH1167 HND 2005 – 2225 GMP 77W Daily
NH1160 GMP 0740 – 0950 HND 77W Daily
NH1162 GMP 1235 – 1440 HND 772 Daily
NH1166 GMP 2005 – 2215 HND 772 Daily

Frequency Reductions:
Narita - Bangkok/Suvarnabhumi from 2 to 1 daily. 
Narita- Singapore/Changi from 2 to 1 daily.

Suspensions:
Narita - Frankfurt/Main.
Narita - London/Heathrow. 
Narita - Munich.

In summary, five of the awarded slots at Haneda are being used to shift services from Narita, and five are for new services, while one new slot to China remains unused due to regulatory issues on the Chinese side. Together with joint-venture and Star Alliance partner Deutsche Lufthansa (LH/DLH), the two airlines will control nearly 90% of the non-stop Japan - Germany market capacity-wise.

For Japan Airlines' (JL/JAL) international flight changes from March 30th, please see our past 'JAL announces Summer 2014 international plans.' post.

Source: All Nippon Airways, December 9th. (in Japanese)
Source: All Nippon Airways, December 18th. (in Japanese)

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Star Flyer returns second Airbus A320 to lessor.

On the morning of February 14th, Star Flyer's (7G/SFJ) second aircraft, Airbus A320-214 JA02MC, left Japan. It departed the airline's base at Kitakyushu (KKJ/RJFR) as flight 7G9201 and arrived at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL/RPLL) later that day for final maintenance checks prior to its return to lessor GECAS. JA02MC was delivered new to Star Flyer on January 28, 2006.

Airbus A320-214 JA02MC at rainy Haneda Airport in May 2011. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

This leaves only one more 144-seat A320 in the fleet, while others seat 150 passengers. The last, JA04MC, will also be retired after Star Flyer suspends Kitakyushu - Busan/Gimhae (PUS/RKPK), its sole but unprofitable international route, effective March 30th. As part of their restructuring, the low-fare premium carrier is reducing its fleet to nine. Three more A320s were planned for arrival during 2014 - 2015 but deliveries have been indefinitely deferred.