IBEX Airlines announces Nagoya – Miyazaki.

On January 20th, IBEX Airlines [FW/IBX] announced that it will add Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG] – Miyazaki [KMI/RJFM] effective March 27th, the beginning of the Summer 2016 schedule. The new service will be operated by 70-seat Bombardier CRJ-700NGs on a daily basis. It is virtually a transfer of one of partner All Nippon Airways' [NH/ANA] current three frequencies, as the new round-trip will code-share with ANA while ANA is axing one flight.

Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-702NG JA05RJ taxies at Narita. Note the ANA Connection titles. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

The new link, along with their double-daily Chubu Centrair – Oita [OIT/RJFO] route, will be increased to three times daily from August 5th to 22nd, during Japan's Obon (homecoming) period. Meanwhile, the commuter airline will decrease Chubu Centrair – Sendai [SDJ/RJSS] from three to two times daily. Code-share partner ANA will not be adding back any service.

Flight Schedule:
Chubu Centrair – Miyazaki NEW daily with CRJ700. (Mar/27-)
FW031 NGO 0855 – 1010 KMI CR7 Daily *Aug/5-22.
FW033 NGO 1105 – 1220 KMI CR7 Daily
FW035 NGO 1540 – 1655 KMI CR7 Daily *Aug/5-22.
FW032 KMI 1040 – 1155 NGO CR7 Daily *Aug/5-22.
FW034 KMI 1250 – 1405 NGO CR7 Daily
FW036 KMI 1725 – 1840 NGO CR7 Daily *Aug/5-22.

IBEX currently operates seven CRJ-700NGs and two CRJ-200ERs and all flights code-share with ANA under the branding ANA Connection. Their eighth CRJ-700NG will be delivered in June 2016, allowing a 50-seat CRJ-200ER to be retired. IBEX is majority controlled together by software developer Japan Digital Laboratory (JDL), which owns 47.9%, and its President Kazuo Maezawa, which holds another 18.8%.

Source: IBEX Airlines, 2016 January 20th. (in Japanese)
Source: All Nippon Airways, 2016 January 20th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, 2016 January 20th. (in Japanese)

Solaseed makes international debut with Kaohsiung charter.

On October 17th, Skynet Asia Airways [6J/SNJ] (d.b.a. Solaseed Air) operated its first ever international service, a round-trip charter between Miyazaki [KMI/RJFM] and Kaohsiung [KHH/RCKH] (Solaseed Air reveals Miyazaki – Kaohsiung charter.). It is being flown as part of a three-day four-night packaged tour from Miyazaki to Taiwan's second biggest city and vice versa.

Boeing 737-81D(WL) JA801X departs Miyazaki on Solaseed Air's first ever international flight. It launched operations back in August 2002. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

The outbound leg departed Miyazaki at 0848 JST carrying 158 passengers, mostly local business officials, five flight attendants, and two pilots. Boeing 737-81D(WL) JA801X was assigned. For the first time, the local carrier of Kyushu served in-flight meals and alcoholic beverages on board.

Flight Schedule:
Miyazaki – Kaohsiung NEW charter with 737-800.
6J9167 KMI 0850 – 1020 KHH 73H Oct/17
6J9167 KMI 1155 – 1325 KHH 73H Oct/20
6J9168 KHH 1130 – 1440 KMI 73H Oct/17
6J9168 KHH 1435 – 1745 KMI 73H Oct/20

Miyazaki's local transportation company Miyakoh Group, which owns 24% of Solaseed, is responsible for marketing in Japan, while JPK International Air Service, based in Taipei, is carrying out sales in Taiwan. "We hope to make this a success and increase charters; we would like to learn what we could do and what our customers want us to do," said Hiroshi Takahashi, President of Solaseed (Solaseed Air eyes international charters in FY2015.).

The Kyushu-based carrier currently flies 68 daily domestic flights covering 10 routes and 10 destinations using a dozen 737-800s. Their entire domestic network code-shares and is closely coordinated with All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] (Solaseed Air expands Okinawa with Ishigaki and Nagoya.), whose parent ANA Holdings controls roughly 9% of Solaseed, and virtually 35% when combined with the shares of Development Bank of Japan, a long-time ANA partner. Its official name will also be changed to Solaseed Air effective December 1st (Skynet Asia to officially change name to Solaseed Air.).

Source: Aviation Wire, 2015 October 17th. (in Japanese)
Source: Yomiuri Shimbun, 2015 October 18th. (in Japanese)

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)

Solaseed Air reveals Miyazaki – Kaohsiung charter.

On July 17th, Skynet Asia Airways [6J/SNJ] (d.b.a. Solaseed Air) announced plans for its first international charter flight, where it will operate two round-trips between Miyazaki [KMI/RJFM] and Kaohsiung [KHH/RCKH] in October. 174-seat Boeing 737-800s will be assigned, however, approximately only 150 seats will be available for sale.

Boeing 737-86N(WL) JA811X taxies at Tokyo's Haneda. With LCCs gaining ground, opportunities in the domestic market outside its partnership with ANA have decreased for small mid-cost airlines, prompting Solaseed to turn to international point-to-point charters to increase revenue. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

The flight will be operated as part of a three-night four-day packaged tour both ways. Miyazaki's local transportation company Miyakoh Group, which owns 24% of Solaseed, will be responsible for marketing in Japan, while JPK International Air Service, based in Taipei, has been contracted for sales in Taiwan.

Flight Schedule:
Miyazaki – Kaohsiung charter with 737-800.
6J**** KMI 0850 – 1020 KHH 73H Oct/17 *Flight numbers undecided.
6J**** KMI 1155 – 1325 KHH 73H Oct/20
6J**** KHH 1130 – 1440 KMI 73H Oct/17
6J**** KHH 1435 – 1745 KMI 73H Oct/20

Last October, Solaseed's President Hiroshi Takahashi had revealed that international charters were in the works (Solaseed Air eyes international charters in FY2015.). Although Miyazaki receives a three-times weekly flight from Taipei/Taoyuan [TPE/RCTP] with China Airlines [CI/CAL], that is the only destination in Taiwan. Mandarin Airlines [AE/MDA] operated a round-trip charter linking Miyazaki and Kaohsiung back in July 2010.

Marketing itself as The Wing of Kyushu and Okinawa, Solaseed currently flies 68 daily domestic flights covering 10 routes and 10 destinations using a dozen 737-800s. Their entire domestic network code-shares and is closely coordinated with All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] (Solaseed Air expands Okinawa with Ishigaki and Nagoya.), whose parent ANA Holdings controls roughly 9% of Solaseed, though that figure is virtually 35% when combined with the shares Development Bank of Japan, a long-time ANA partner, controls. It will change its official name to Solaseed Air effective December 1st (Skynet Asia to officially change name to Solaseed Air.).

Source: Skynet Asia Airways, July 17th. (in English)
Source: Aviation Wire, July 17th. (in Japanese)

Peach loads Kansai – Miyazaki.

On April 14th, Peach Aviation [MM/APJ] announced that they will inaugurate Miyazaki [KMI/RJFM] with a daily service from their Osaka/Kansai [KIX/RJBB] hub on August 28th, becoming the first LCC to serve the last prefecture in Kyushu yet to receive LCC flights. 180-seat Airbus A320s will operate the new round-trip, which is timed in the evening.

Another Airbus A320 of Peach prepares for departure from Kansai. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

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. They went on sale today on April 14th at 1500 JST.

Flight Schedule:
Kansai – Miyazaki NEW daily with A320-200. (Aug/28 - Oct/24)
MM189 KIX 1825 – 1930 KMI 320 Daily
MM190 KMI 2000 – 2105 KIX 320 Daily

Miyazaki becomes Peach's fourth destination in Kyushu after Fukuoka [FUK/RJFF], Kagoshima [KOJ/RJFK], and Nagasaki [NGS/RJFU]. Their 16th destination overall becomes the first new city from Kansai since February 1st, 2014, when they launched Matsuyama [MYJ/RJOM] (Peach commences Matsuyama.). Kansai – Miyazaki was formerly flown by All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] until March 2007, though Osaka/Itami [ITM/RJOO] – Miyazaki continues to see six daily ANA round-trips and another five with Japan Airlines [JL/JAL].

Source: Peach Aviation, April 14th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, April 14th. (in Japanese)

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)