Amakusa Airlines' ATR42-600 arrives in Japan.

On August 21st, Amakusa Airlines' [AHX] brand-new ATR42-600 registered JA01AM arrived at Kumamoto [KMJ/RJFT] on delivery (Amakusa Airlines chooses ATR42-600.). The Amakusa [AXJ/RJDA]-based commuter airline will replace its sole 39-seat Bombardier DHC-8-103 JA81MX Mizoka with the new 48-seat aircraft, which becomes the first of the type to be operated in Japan. It had been delivered to Nordic Aviation Capital on lease to Amakusa Airlines on August 13th.

The eight on board the delivery flight pose in front of ATR42-600 JA01AM New Mizoka at Kumamoto upon completing the long journey. (Photo: Amakusa Airlines)

The long delivery flight started from Toulouse/Blagnac [TLS/LFBO] on August 16th, making stops at Paphos [PFO/LCPH], Bahrain [BAH/OBBI], Muscat [MCT/OOMS], Malé [MLE/VRMM], Colombo/Bandaranaike [CMB/VCBI], Bangkok/Don Mueang [DMK/VTBD], and Taipei/Taoyuan [TPE/RCTP], before arriving at Kumamoto on August 21st. As JA01AM approached the Kyushu airport, it performed a low-pass in front of a crowd of enthusiasts who gathered to welcome the new turboprop, before touching down on Runway 25. A total of eight officials including pilots from ATR and Amakusa staff were on board the delivery flight.

ATR42-600 JA01AM New Mizoka at Toulouse prior to delivery. (Photo: Amakusa Airlines)

The tiny single-aircraft airline currently flies Amakusa – Fukuoka [FUK/RJFF] three times daily and Amakusa – Kumamoto – Osaka/Itami [ITM/RJOO] daily, though the latter was suspended on August 23rd to allow its pilots to start transitioning to the ATR42. Crew training is expected to start by the end of August, and the brand-new aircraft is planned to enter service sometime in January 2016. The sole DHC-8 will be retired then, retaining a single-aircraft fleet.

Amakusa Airlines is owned 53.31% by Kumamoto Prefecture, 22.92% by the City of Amakusa, 2.73% by the City of Kamiamakusa, 1.2% by Reihoku Town, among others. The small niche airline code-shares with Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] on all flights (Amakusa Airlines announces code-share with JAL.) and outsources ground handling to its partner at all of its destinations except for Amakusa, its home base. JAL affiliate Japan Air Commuter [3X/JAC] will become the second ATR42 operator in Japan in 2017 when it starts to take delivery of eight ordered to replace its Saab SF340Bs (Japan Air Commuter orders up to 23 ATR42-600s.).

Source: Amakusa Airlines @ Facebook.
Source: Aviation Wire, 2015 August 21st. (in Japanese)

Japan Airlines JL123 crash remembered 30 years on.

August 12th marked the 30th year since Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] flight JL123, an ordinary domestic flight from Tokyo/Haneda [HND/RJTT] bound for Osaka/Itami [ITM/RJOO], crashed into Mount Osutaka in Ueno Village, Gunma. It claimed the lives of all but four of 509 passengers and 15 crew members aboard, making it the deadliest aviation accident in Japan and the deadliest single-airliner accident in history. Boeing 747SR-46 JA8119 was the aircraft involved.

JAL President Yoshiharu Ueki paid tribute at the crash site memorial, swearing safety would never be compromised again. Mr. Ueki has participated in the ceremony every year since taking office in 2012. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Last evening on August 11th, bereaved families and relatives floated lanterns on nearby Kanno River to honor those who perished and pray for aviation safety. On the following day today, hundreds of mourners hiked up the mountain to reach the crash site. Among them was Yoshiharu Ueki, JAL's current President. "I expressed my deepest condolence and apology to the 520 who died. I would like to apologize to the families and relatives for 30 years of suffering and sadness," said Mr. Ueki, adding "Lives come first. No compromise nor excuse is acceptable when it comes to safety. That is engrained in the hearts of the 32,000 employees at JAL."

A moment of silence was observed by participants at a ceremony that was held at the memorial facility near the foot of Mount Osutaka at 1856 JST, the exact time the ill-fated aircraft ended its short voyage. It was attended by 252 family members and relatives of the vitctims, as well as 104 officials from the local government, regulator Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), and JAL, including Mr. Ueki, Chairman Masaru Onishi, and Vice President Nobuhiro Sato.

The doomed 747 that departed Haneda at 1812 on August 12th, 1985 quickly ran into trouble when a loud bang was heard followed by decompression. JA8119 had been involved in a tailstrike incident at Itami seven years earlier as flight JL115, and faulty repair of the damaged rear pressure bulkhead was determined as the cause of it not withstanding pressurization on the 12,319th flight after the fix. When the bulkhead gave way, the resulting explosive decompression ruptured the lines of all four hydraulic systems and ejected the vertical stabilizer. With the aircraft's flight controls disabled, the 747 became uncontrollable. Desperate efforts by the crew to tame the plane were in vain, and the aircraft crashed into Mount Osutaka approximately 30 minutes later.

Source: Aviation Wire, August 12th. (in Japanese)

Amakusa Airlines announces code-share with JAL.

On February 3rd, Amakusa Airlines [AHX] announced that they would launch code-sharing with Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] on April 1st. Under the scheme, JAL will place its code on the regional community airline's entire network and all flights, which includes three times daily Amakusa [AXJ/RJDA] – Fukuoka [FUK/RJFF] and a daily Amakusa – Kumamoto [KMJ/RJFT] – Osaka/Itami [ITM/RJOO] routing.

Bombardier DHC-8-103 JA81MX, its entire fleet, wears a unique dolphin livery. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Amakusa Airlines will take delivery of a brand-new ATR42-600 in January 2016 (Amakusa Airlines chooses ATR42-600.) to replace the current sole Bombardier DHC-8-103 JA81MX, which will be coming up for a 300-million JPY C check later in FY2015. The company concluded that that amount plus subsequent maintenance costs of the 14-year-old turboprop would outweigh the expenses of replacing it with a newer model.

However, while the current aircraft seats 39, the successor seats 48, and with the niche carrier having difficulties filling seats on the Dash 8 during off-peak months, it apparently turned to JAL to help with loads. The commuter airline of the Amakusa Islands outsources ground handling to JAL at all airports except for its home base at Amakusa, so the selection is obvious.

Amakusa Airlines is owned 53.31% by Kumamoto Prefecture, 22.92% by the City of Amakusa, 2.73% by the City of Kamiamakusa, 1.2% by Reihoku Town, among others, and operates a single DHC-8.

Source: Amakusa Airlines, February 3rd. (in Japanese)

JAL's Pink Ribbon Jet enters service.

On October 10th, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) unveiled Pink Ribbon Jet, as part of a joint campaign with Estée Lauder Group, a manufacturer of women's skincare, makeup, fragrance, and haircare products, to promote awareness of breast cancer. The specially-themed aircraft, Boeing 777-246 JA8983, entered service on flight JL107, service from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) to Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), on the same day.

Boeing 777-246 JA8983 Pink Ribbon Jet taxies at Tokyo's Haneda. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Using the airplane, JAL operated flight JL509 from Haneda to Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) on October 15th under the name Pink Scarf Flight. Cabin attendants wore pink scarves for the occasion, and handed out leaflets explaining how to do a breast self-exam along with pink ribbon badges. For in-flight shopping, a 8,000 JPY Vittorio Godi small leather wallet was introduced as the official campaign product, and a certain share of its sales will be donated to Breast Cancer Network Japan, a patient support community.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign decals will be worn until March 2015. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Started in 2004, the idea for a breast cancer awareness campaign originally came from JAL's employees, the majority of whom are women, like many airlines. JAL's wholly-owned commuter subsidiary J-Air (XM/JLJ) also started participating last year, and operated its own Pink Scarf Flight on the same day on October 15th with flight XM2205, service from Itami to Sendai (SDJ/RJSS).

Reference: Japan Airlines, October 10th. (in Japanese)
Reference: Aviation Wire, October 15th. (in Japanese)

ANA releases Winter 2014/2015 schedule.

On August 20th, All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) released their Winter 2014/2015 timetable, effective October 26th. The only new route being announced is Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) (ANA to resume Haneda – Nagoya in October.), timed to feed their expanded international network at Haneda (ANA's Summer 2014 international expansion.).

Boeing 767-381 JA602A in the Mohican Blue livery used by ANA from May 1969 until March 1989. It was revived as a retro-jet on December 1st, 2009, and completed operations in this special scheme on August 11th, 2014 with NH638, service from Iwakuni to Haneda. It will revert to the current Triton Blue livery. (Photo: Luke H. Ozawa/ANA)

For domestic, other changes include frequency increases from Haneda to Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG), Okayama (OKJ/RJOB), and Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH), and from Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) to Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) and Naha. Meanwhile, reductions include the Haneda – Yamaguchi-Ube (UBJ/RJDC) route (Star Flyer to add Yamaguchi-Ube; but reduce Fukuoka.), with capacity de facto transferred to partly-owned subsidiary Star Flyer (7G/SFJ) to free up some of ANA's Haneda slots.

New Routes/Resumptions (DOMESTIC):
Haneda – Chubu Centrair NEW 1 daily with 737-800.
NH85 HND 1825 – 1930 NGO 73H Daily *From Oct/26.
NH86 NGO 0750 – 0850 HND 73H Daily *From Oct/26.

Frequency Increases (DOMESTIC): 
Fukuoka – Naha from 8 to 9 daily.
Itami – Fukuoka from 5 to 7 daily.
Haneda – Ishigaki from 1 to 2 daily. *From Feb/1.
Haneda – Okayama from 5 to 6 daily.
Haneda – Naha from 10 to 11 daily.

Frequency Reductions (DOMESTIC):
Itami – Naha from 3 to 2 daily.
Itami – New Chitose from 4 to 3 daily. 
Sendai – New Chitose from 4 to 3 daily.
Haneda – Yamaguchi-Ube from 5 to 3 daily.

For international, there's not much change, with the Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) – Chengdu (CTU/ZUUU) route seeing a reduction, except for the Chinese New Year period. However, there are equipment swaps between Boeing 767s, 787s, and 777s for regional Asian routes. Popular Taiwan will see all Haneda – Taipei/Songshan (TSA/RCSS) flights operating with the larger 787-8, while Haneda – Manila (MNL/RPLL) will be downsized to 767-300ERs. Haneda – Seoul/Gimpo (GMP/RKSS) will see 14 weekly round-trips being downsized to the 787-8 from the 777-200ER, while Haneda – Shanghai/Pudong (PVG/ZSPD) will see half of its 14 weekly round-trips up-gauged from the 787-8 to the 777-200ER.

Frequency Reductions (INTERNATIONAL):
Narita – Chengdu from 7 to 4 weekly. *7 weekly Feb/13 - 28.

ANA says they will continue to strengthen their Tokyo dual hubs at Haneda and Narita. Japan's largest carrier wants to capture Asia – North America connections at Narita, while Haneda will pursue the Tokyo/domestic – international market.

Reference: All Nippon Airways, August 20th. (in Japanese)

ANA's Boeing 787-9 enters service.

All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) became the first airline in the world to place the Boeing 787-9 into scheduled revenue service on August 7th, when JA830A, their first of the stretched Dreamliner, inaugurated operations on the Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) route (ANA to fly Boeing 787-9 inaugural on August 7th.). The aircraft also flew to Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) and Matsuyama (MYJ/RJOM) later in the day.

Boeing 787-9 JA830A at Spot 60 at Haneda Airport with staff carrying a banner reading 'Fly with ANA on the 787-9 Dreamliner'. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

The inaugural flight, NH241, departed Spot 60 of Haneda's Terminal 2 at 0730 JST with 387 passengers (including 11 infants) and 11 crew. It was piloted by Captains Katsuki Ikeda and Yuichi Yamamoto, with Ikeda-san in command, while the Chief Purser was Kazuyo Nishizono. President and CEO Osamu Shinobe was also present at the ceremony that took place at the gate. ANA took delivery of JA830A on August 27th and it arrived at Haneda on July 29th (ANA takes delivery of first Boeing 787-9.). It operated a special sightseeing flight carrying Japanese and American primary (elementary) school students on August 4th (ANA flies world's first Boeing 787-9 passenger flight.).

Compared to the 787-8, the Dash 9 incorporates an additional 3.05-meter section in both the forward and aft of the fuselage, stretching the airframe by 6.1 meters. It can fly approximately 555 kilometers farther than the original version. Compared to the 767-300ER, the second member of the Dreamliner family can carry 1.2 times more passengers and cargo, and fuel economy will also be 23% better, according to ANA. The airline has said the 787-8 is 20% better than the 767-300ER.

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, ANA's domestic 787-9s are being configured in a 395-seat layout with 18 Premium Class (six abreast; 2-2-2) and 377 economy class (nine abreast; 3-3-3) seats, carrying 60 more passengers (six Premium Class and 54 economy) than their domestic 787-8s. Another domestic 787-9, registered JA833A, will be delivered this autumn, while the first long-haul international 787-9 configured with 215 seats (48 business, 21 premium economy, and 146 economy) will be delivered in early 2015. ANA is the biggest 787 customer to date, with orders counting 36 787-8s (28 delivered), and 44 787-9s (1 delivered).

Reference: Aviation Wire, August 7th. (in Japanese)

JAL starts Summer 2014 seasonal routes.

On August 1st, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) launched six summer seasonal routes. From Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG), they have launched three-times weekly Kushiro (KUH/RJCK) and four-times weekly Obihiro (OBO/RJCB) service, while from Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), daily service to Matsumoto (MMJ/RJAF) and Memanbetsu (MMB/RJCM) have been added. Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) sees new four-times weekly service to Izumo (IZO/RJOC) and three-times weekly to Tokushima (TKS/RJOS).

Boeing 737-846(WL) JA314J arrives at Aomori. JAL Express has started to repaint their aircraft with 'Japan Airlines' titles in anticipation of their merger into JAL on October 1st. Catch them while you can. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

The seasonal flights from Chubu Centrair and New Chitose are operated with JAL Express' (JC/JEX) (JAL Express to be absorbed by JAL on October 1st.) 165-seat (20 Class J and 145 economy) Boeing 737-800s, while the Itami flights are flown with J-Air's (XM/JLJ) 76-seat (all economy) Embraer ERJ170-100STDs (E170s). All six will operate until August 31st.

Flight Schedule (Aug/1 - Aug/31/2014 only):
Nagoya/Chubu Centrair – Kushiro NEW 3 weekly with 737-800.
JL3131 NGO 1130 – 1320 KUH 73H Tu/Th/Sa *Operated by JAL Express as JC3131.
JL3132 KUH 1450 – 1650 NGO 73H Tu/Th/Sa *Operated by JAL Express as JC3132.

Nagoya/Chubu Centrair – Obihiro NEW 4 weekly with 737-800.
JL3303 NGO 1100 – 1300 OBO 73H Mo/We/Fr/Su *Operated by JAL Express as JC3303.
JL3304 OBO 1520 – 1715 NGO 73H Mo/We/Fr/Su *Operated by JAL Express as JC3304.

Osaka/Itami – Matsumoto NEW 1 daily with E170.
JL2271 ITM 1330 – 1420 MMJ E70 Daily *Operated by J-Air as XM2271.
JL2272 MMJ 1500 – 1555 ITM E70 Daily *Operated by J-Air as XM2272.

Osaka/Itami – Memanbetsu NEW 1 daily with E170.
JL2101 ITM 0815 – 1020 MMB E70 Daily *Operated by J-Air as XM2101.
JL2102 MMB 1050 – 1300 ITM E70 Daily *Operated by J-Air as XM2102.

Sapporo/New Chitose – Izumo NEW 4 weekly with 737-800.
JL3426 CTS 1200 – 1405 IZO 73H Mo/We/Fr/Su *Operated by JAL Express as JC3426.
JL3421 IZO 1455 – 1650 CTS 73H Mo/We/Fr/Su *Operated by JAL Express as JC3421.

Sapporo/New Chitose – Tokushima NEW 3 weekly with 737-800.
JL3436 CTS 1200 – 1355 TKS 73H Tu/Th/Sa *Operated by JAL Express as JC3436.
JL3437 TKS 1455 – 1655 CTS 73H Tu/Th/Sa *Operated by JAL Express as JC3437. 

All of these routes are actually resumptions. Chubu Centrair – Kushiro was suspended in May 2010, Chubu Centrair – Obihiro in October 2010, Itami – Matsumoto in June 2010, Itami – Memanbetsu in April 2005 (moved to Kansai but suspended in March 2009), and both New Chitose – Izumo and New Chitose – Tokushima in March 2011; all during JAL Group's restructuring. Originally announced in January (JAL to resume six domestic routes for Summer 2014.), these routes are probably candidates for a full resumption, as part of JAL's intention to "restart rural routes that are potentially profitable in due course."

ANA to fly Boeing 787-9 inaugural on August 7th.

All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) will operate the world's first scheduled revenue flight of the Boeing 787-9, the second member of the Dreamliner family, on August 7th. Their first example, registered JA830A, was delivered to Japan on July 29th (ANA takes delivery of first Boeing 787-9.).

Boeing 787-9 JA830A takes off from Paine Field. (Photo: Boeing)

The newest Dreamliner will operate a round-trip each from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) to Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), and Matsuyama (MYJ/RJOM) from that date. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 series engines, ANA's domestic-configured 787-9s seat 395, including 18 in Premium Class (six abreast; 2-2-2) and 377 in economy (nine abreast; 3-3-3), carrying 60 more passengers (six Premium Class and 54 economy) than their domestic 787-8s.

Flight Schedule (effective Jul/1/2014):
Haneda – Fukuoka 1 of 18 daily operated with 787-9.
NH241 HND 0725 – 0915 FUK 789 Daily
NH248 FUK 1005 – 1150 HND 789 Daily

Haneda – Itami 1 of 15 daily operated with 787-9.
NH025 HND 1300 – 1405 ITM 789 Daily
NH030 ITM 1500 – 1615 HND 789 Daily

Haneda – Matsuyama 1 of 6 daily operated with 787-9.
NH595 HND 1715 – 1840 MYJ 789 Daily
NH598 MYJ 1930 – 2100 HND 789 Daily 

ANA will also fly a Mt. Fuji sightseeing charter flight from Haneda and back with the first stretch of the Dreamliner on August 4th, carrying Japanese and American primary (elementary) school students in Japan as part of the TOMODACHI Initiative (ANA to receive first Boeing 787-9 on July 27th.).

The first two 787-9s, JA830A and JA833A, are being configured in a domestic layout. Meanwhile, Japan's largest carrier has released the seat layout for their long-haul international 787-9s; 48 business, 21 premium economy, and 146 economy (total 215). ANA's third example, to be registered JA836A, will be delivered in this arrangement, with all five aircraft to follow to have the same. On which long-haul routes will these be placed into service?

Reference: All Nippon Airways, July 31st. (in Japanese)

ANA returns to Aomori with Osaka and Sapporo flights.

On July 1st, All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) resumed scheduled service at Aomori (AOJ/RJSA) with three daily round-trips to and from Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) and two to and from Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC). Operated by subsidiary ANA Wings' (EH/AKX) 74-seat Bombardier DHC-8-400Qs, the flights mark the return of now Japan's largest airline by passenger volume to Honshu's northernmost airport after a 11-year hiatus.

Bombardier DHC-8-402Q JA845A arriving at Aomori from Sapporo's New Chitose as NH1853 on July 1st, the inaugural day. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

The inaugural flight out of Aomori, NH1852, service to Itami, was operated by DHC-8-402Q JA856A with a load of 73 passengers. The aircraft had been ferried in to Aomori the night before. Sistership JA853A became the first to arrive, as NH1851 from Itami, and was greeted by a water-cannon salute.

Flight schedule (July 1st - October 25th):
Osaka/Itami – Aomori NEW 3 daily with DHC-8-400Q. *Operated by ANA Wings.
NH1851 ITM 0815 – 1000 AOJ DH4 Daily
NH1853 ITM 1155 – 1340 AOJ DH4 Daily
NH1855 ITM 1910 – 2055 AOJ DH4 Daily
NH1852 AOJ 0805 – 1000 ITM DH4 Daily
NH1854 AOJ 1310 – 1505 ITM DH4 Daily
NH1856 AOJ 1740 – 1935 ITM DH4 Daily

Aomori – Sapporo/New Chitose NEW 2 daily with DHC-8-400Q. *Operated by ANA Wings.
NH1897 AOJ 1030 – 1120 CTS DH4 Daily
NH1899 AOJ 1510 – 1600 CTS DH4 Daily
NH1898 CTS 1150 – 1240 AOJ DH4 Daily
NH1900 CTS 1615 – 1705 AOJ DH4 Daily
 
A ceremony took place at Aomori Airport, attended by Aomori Prefecture Governor Shingo Mimura, Aomori City Governor Hiroshi Shikanai, and ANA's Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing Takashi Shiki. ANA President Osamu Shinobe visited Mr. Mimura one day before. "We've been waiting for this moment. We would like to strengthen our partnerships with the Kansai (Greater Osaka) region to promote tourism and help the route grow," said Mr. Mimura, adding "Ahead of that lies another big ambition," hoping for ANA's resumption of their Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) link. Mr. Shiki responded, "We have a big international network from Haneda now (ANA's Summer 2014 international expansion.). We also share the desire to open up Aomori's charm to the world."

The brand-new ANA counters at Aomori with celebration flower decorations. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

 
Aomori has seen turbulent times in recent years. In FY2003, its annual passenger number recorded 1.41 million, however, after the merger of Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) and Japan Air System (JD/JAS) was complete, ANA withdrew from Aomori in April that year, axing its link to Haneda and shifting the precious slots to more lucrative routes. Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) briefly filled the vacancy but withdrew in November. JAL's financial woes forced the airline to cut its link to Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) in 2007 and Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) in 2010. Dealing a further blow, the opening of the super-efficient Shinkansen (bullet train) to Aomori in 2010 followed shortly by the 3.11 Great East Japan Earthquake reduced the number to merely 800,000 for FY2010.

The Nagoya link was restarted by Fuji Dream Airlines (JH/FDA) with service (CoachFlyer JH366: AOJ – NKM on Fuji Dream Airlines' Embraer E175.) to its older airport at Komaki (NKM/RJNA) in 2011. Other than the ANA and FDA flights, Aomori is served by Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) with three-times daily each to New Chitose and Itami (operated by J-Air), and six-times daily to Haneda, while Korean Air (KE/KAL) maintains a three-times weekly service to Seoul/Incheon (ICN/RKSI) (CoachFlyer KE768: AOJ - ICN on Korean Air's Boeing 737.), the prefecture's sole scheduled international route. Passenger numbers slightly increased to 850,000 for FY2013.

Arriving passengers were greeted by ANA banners promoting the Aomori launch. To the right is a miniature version of Aomori's renowned Nebuta. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

For ANA, the resumption is also a strategy to experiment potential markets in Japan's mature domestic market (at least at ANA/JAL's costs) where the population has started to decline. ANA's most recent new domestic destination was Iwakuni (IWK/RJOI) in eastern Yamaguchi Prefecture, when the joint U.S. Air Force (USAF) - Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) base was opened up for civilian flights in December 2012.

Aomori hopes ANA's comeback will boost demand. In 2011, when ANA entered the Akita (AXT/RJSK) – Itami market in competition with JAL, passengers carried on the route increased from 100,000 in FY2011 to 170,000 in FY2013. On the other hand, airports such as Yamaguchi-Ube (UBJ/RJDC) saw passengers decline after JAL entered the ANA-dominated market in FY2002; the figure was 960,000 for FY2003 but had decreased to 850,000 in FY2013. Prefecture officials hope it doesn't "end up with both carriers losing money and terminating the route," and JAL's Aomori Office chief Yutaka Fukuda said "There's certainly potential demand. But two carriers serving the route doesn't mean the market will grow overnight. We need to make efforts."

Aomori is one of the most beautiful and diverse prefectures of Japan, but remains an under-served and under-explored tourist destination. From the Hakkoda Mountains, which gets heavier annual snowfall than anywhere else in Japan, to the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakami-Sanchi, picturesque Lake Towada to the nature abundant Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori is filled with fascinating vast landscapes. On the culture side, it is home to the famous Nebuta festival, when the entire prefecture goes for celebration in August, as well as the Sannai-Maruyama Ruins, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Japan dating back to 3900 B.C., and much more. Food is no exception, with the Tsugaru cuisine and the Nanbu cuisine, and forget not the fresh fish (Sashimi and Sushi) from the surrounding seas and the herbs from the mountains. There are countless Onsens (public hot spring baths) as well. 

Reference: Yomiuri Shimbun, June 29th. (in Japanese)
Reference: Yomiuri Shimbun, July 2nd. (in Japanese) 

*Post edited/updated on July 5th.

JAL SKY Wi-Fi to be launched on July 23rd.

On June 30th, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) announced that July 23rd would be the launch date for their domestic in-flight Wi-Fi product dubbed JAL SKY Wi-Fi. Initial routes that will see the service are from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) to Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), Hakodate (HKD/RJCH), and Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), with selected flights offering the service. JAL thus becomes the first Japanese airline to offer domestic in-flight internet connectivity.

Boeing 777-289 JA007D with JAL Sky Next decals prepares for departure from Fukuoka. It became the first aircraft to receive the new interior. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Aircraft that offer Wi-Fi are those that have been refurbished with JAL's Sky Next new domestic interiors (JAL's first Sky Next 777 enters service.) with all-new leather seats and carpets, plus Dreamliner-style LED mood lighting. Partnering with U.S.A.-based Gogo, which will provide satellite connection, passengers will be able to use their smartphones, tablets, or laptop computers to surf the internet, check e-mail, or update their social networking services (SNS) pages like Facebook or Twitter.

Two payment plans will be available; one offering 30 minutes use at 400 JPY, while the other offers unlimited access with price depending on the type of the mobile device and the length of the flight. Fees are set at 500 JPY for all gadgets on flights less than 450 miles (e.g. Tokyo – Osaka), 500 JPY for smartphones and 700 JPY for tablets/laptops on flights between 451 and 650 miles (e.g. Tokyo – Fukuoka), and 700 JPY for smartphones and 1,200 JPY for tablets/laptops for flights over 651 miles (e.g. Tokyo – Okinawa).

Watch out for this logo when boarding and inside the aircraft. (Image: JAL)

Payment must be made by a credit card upon establishing a connection. However, those who are unwilling to pay will still have access to JAL's complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi program, including daily news, travel tips, and sightseeing information about the destination.

The number of access points will vary depending on the aircraft, with Boeing 777s getting six while 737s receiving three, but it will be accessible from anywhere on the aircraft. Specifications for the wireless LAN network are IEEE802.11a/b/g/n. Current plans call for four 777-300s, 12 777-200s, 20 767-300/300ERs, and 41 737-800s to have completed the revamp to JAL Sky Next by mid-2016. Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) is expected to be the next city to receive the service in August.

Reference: Japan Airlines, June 30th. (in Japanese)
Reference: Aviation Wire, June 30th. (in Japanese)

JAL Sky Next to serve Itami, Hakodate, and Sapporo next.

Japan Airlines (JL/JAL), which introduced their refurbished 'JAL Sky Next' domestic aircraft on May 28th (JAL's first Sky Next 777 enters service.) on the Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) route, will be expanding the service to Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) and Hakodate (HKD/RJCH) in July, and to Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) in August.

Boeing 777-246 JA8985 Samurai Blue Jet supports Japan's national football (soccer) team, which is currently participating in 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Boasting all-new leather seats, new carpets, Dreamliner-style LED mood lighting, and in-flight Wi-Fi (available from July), Boeing 777-289 JA007D became the first to receive the revamp. Seat pitch remains the same at 38 inches (96.5 centimeters) for Class J and 31 inches (78.7 centimeters) for economy, however, slim-style seats increased legroom by five centimeters in economy.

By mid-2016, JAL plans to have 77 aircraft with the refurbished interiors in service, comprising seven 777-300s, nine 777-200s, 20 767-300/300ERs, and 41 737-800s. Work on their 777-300s will begin in August, 767s from September, and 737-800s from October. JAL targets 34 aircraft to have completed the revamp by the end of fiscal year 2014.

Boeing 777-246 JA8981 stopped by Honolulu for refueling and crew immigrations. She is seen here leaving for her final flight to Goodyear, where she will be scrapped. (Photo: JAL)

Meanwhile, the first Triple-Seven to be retired from JAL, 777-246 JA8981 (JAL retires first Boeing 777.), was ferried via Honolulu (HNL/PHNL) to Goodyear (GYR/KGYR) in Arizona, U.S.A. on June 13th as flight JL8131. It will be dismantled for spare parts. Another five older 777-200s will be retired by March 2016, while others will receive the 'Sky Next' upgrade.

Reference: Aviation Wire, June 17th. (in Japanese)
Reference: Japan Airlines @ Facebook (in Japanese)

*Post edited/updated on June 20th.

J-Air takes delivery of 15th Embraer E170.

On March 20th, J-Air (XM/JLJ) took delivery of Embraer ERJ170-100STD (E170) JA225J new from the Brazilian manufacturer. It arrived at the airline's Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) hub on March 24th, local time.

Sister Embraer ERJ170-100STD (E170) JA223J arrives at Hanamaki with the beautiful mountains of Towada-Hachimantai in the background. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

This is the 15th and as of now the final E170 (no more order backlog) to be delivered to the JAL Group. The regional arm of Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) is restarting some domestic routes previously flown by mainline (JAL to resume six domestic routes for Summer 2014.), and the E-Jet has become the backbone of their fleet. J-Air also flies nine Canadair CL-600-2B19 200ERs (CRJ200ERs).

Now virtually, JAL has organized its operations in a way that sees most of the regional routes from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) being operated by lower-cost subsidiary JAL Express (JC/JEX) with Boeing 737-800s and those from Itami being flown by J-Air with E-Jets and CRJs, while mainline JAL is limited to a handful of trunk routes connecting major cities and some high-demand regional routes.

Source: FlyTeam, March 23rd. (in Japanese)

Skymark to bring the Airbus A380 to Kobe.

Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) said they are planning to bring the Airbus A380 to Kobe (UKB/RJBE) later this year for display and events. The third largest domestic carrier intends to take delivery of their first example, A380-841 JA380A, around August or September this year, and start utilizing the type in December to inaugurate Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) - New York/John F. Kennedy (JFK/KJFK), their first scheduled international route.

Skymark's first Airbus A380-841, JA380A, takes shape at Toulouse. (Photo: Airbus)

According to President and CEO Shinichi Nishikubo, bringing the A380 to Kobe would "be a chance to let people in the Kansai (Greater Osaka) region know that Skymark has a hub in Kobe", implying increased competition with Peach Aviation (MM/APJ). Skymark is the biggest carrier at Kobe flying 19 round-trips daily to Ibaraki (IBR/RJAH), Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG), Kagoshima (KOJ/RJFK), Nagasaki (NGS/RJFU), Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH), Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT), and Yonago (YGJ/RJOH), accounting for about 70% of total flights. Ishigaki will be suspended from March 30th, and Sendai (SDJ/RJSS) will be launched from April 1st.

Kobe celebrated its eighth birthday on February 16th, however, its passenger numbers for fiscal year 2012 was 160,000 less than the year before and has been decreasing. The Greater Osaka region's has three other airports which include Itami (ITM/RJOO), Kansai (KIX/RJBB), and mostly general aviation Yao (RJOY), and the advent of homegrown LCC Peach at Kansai Airport has especially had a big impact on the area's cost-conscious travelers. Skymark, together with Kobe Airport, are pinning hopes that building up routes to secondary cities that LCCs so far cannot profitably fly to would make Kobe a viable domestic hub competing with Kansai and Peach.

Located in Osaka's neighbor city of Kobe, the airport is actually only a 40-to-50-minute train ride from central Osaka, while convenient Itami is about 30 to 40 minutes, and Kansai is farthest at around 1 hour with an express train. However, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) limits the number of flights at Kobe to 30 slot-pairs per day, citing air traffic control (ATC) safety issues which arise from having four airports in a 25-kilometer radius, limiting growth. In reality, this has been seen as a government's move to protect loss-making Kansai Airport's profits and status as Osaka's premier hub, as Kansai sees far less congestion than at Tokyo's Haneda or Narita airports and is not slot-restricted at all.

Source: Asahi Shimbun, February 17th. (in Japanese)

JAL introduces WAON Jet.

On February 14th, Japan Airlines' (JL/JAL) latest special livery, dubbed 'WAON Jet', entered service. Its inaugural flight was JL1841, service from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) to Nagasaki (NGS/RJFU).

Boeing 767-346 JA8364 'WAON Jet' awaiting its next flight at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Boeing 767-346 JA8364 was the chosen for the treatment, as part of 'Habatako Nippon! Mirai Wo Nosete' (Fly Japan! Carrying Our Future), a joint project of JAL and AEON, Japan's largest shopping mall developer and Asia's biggest retailer, to celebrate JAL Mileage Bank's (JMB) seventh anniversary of the JMB WAON Card. WAON is AEON group's electronic money system and JMB WAON Card members are able to earn miles using WAON they load on the card.

Close-up of the WAON Jet logo. (Image: AEON)

The special livery placed near the rear of the fuselage consists of WAON's mascot 'Happy WAON' and a mosaic image of Japan, which is an assemblage of 7,610 smiling faces selected from AEON and JAL customers who submitted their photos in November and December 2013. JA8364 will appear on routes from Haneda to Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF), Hakodate (HKD/RJCH), Izumo (IZO/RJOC), Kagoshima (KOJ/RJFK), Komatsu (KMQ/RJNK), Kumamoto (KMJ/RJFT), Matsuyama (MYJ/RJOM), Nagasaki, Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC), Takamatsu (TAK/RJOT), and Tokushima (TKS/RJOS), and will remain in the livery until August 31st.

Source: AEON Retail WAON Jet (in Japanese)

ANA releases Summer 2014 domestic schedule.

On January 22nd, All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) announced their Summer 2014 plan for domestic flights, effective March 30th. They will be resuming Aomori (AOJ/RJSA) on July 1st after a 11-year hiatus.

Boeing 777-381 JA753A departing Haneda on another domestic trunk flight. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

New Routes/Resumptions:
Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) - Aomori new 3 daily with DH4 from July 1.
NH(EH)1851 ITM 0815 - 1000 AOJ DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.
NH(EH)1853 ITM 1155 - 1340 AOJ DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.
NH(EH)1855 ITM 1910 - 2055 AOJ DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.
NH(EH)1852 AOJ 0805 - 1000 ITM DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.
NH(EH)1854 AOJ 1310 - 1505 ITM DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.
NH(EH)1856 AOJ 1740 - 1935 ITM DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.

 Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) - Aomori new 2 daily with DH4 from July 1.
NH(EH)1898 CTS 1150 - 1240 AOJ DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.
NH(EH)1900 CTS 1615 - 1705 AOJ DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.
NH(EH)1897 AOJ 1030 - 1120 CTS DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.
NH(EH)1899 AOJ 1510 - 1600 CTS  DH4 Daily *From July 1. Operated by AKX.

Frequency Increases:
Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) - Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG) from seasonal service to 1 daily.
Fukuoka - Sendai (SDJ/RJSS) from 1 to 2 daily. *Including code-share with IBX.
Itami - Fukushima (FKS/RJSF) from 1 to 2 daily. *Including code-share with IBX.
Itami - Miyazaki (KMI/RJFM) from 5 to 6 daily. *Including code-share with IBX.
Itami - New Chitose from 1 to 3 daily. *4 daily September 1 - October 25. Including code-share with IBX.
Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) - Hakodate (HKD/RJCH)from 2 to 3 daily.
Haneda - Iwami (IWJ/RJOW) from 1 to 2 daily.
Haneda - Tottori (TTJ/RJOR) from 4 to 5 daily.

Frequency Reductions:
Fukuoka - Komatsu (KMQ/RJNK) from 4 to 3 daily. *Including code-share with IBX.
Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) - Sendai from 5 to 4 daily. *Including code-share with IBX.
Chubu Centrair - Fukuoka from 9 to 6 daily. *Including code-share with IBX. 
Itami - Fukuoka from 10 to 8 daily. *Up to 7 daily from July 1.
Itami - Niigata (KIJ/RJSN) from 6 to 5 daily. *From July 1. Including code-share with IBX.
Itami - Oita (OIT/RJFO) from 4 to 3 daily. *Including code-share with IBX.
Itami - Sendai from 8 to 7 daily. *Up to 6 daily from July 1. Including code-share with IBX.
Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB) - New Chitose from 5 to 3 daily.
Haneda - Yonago (YGJ/RJOH) from 6 to 5 daily. *For only June 1 - September 30.
New Chitose - Sendai from 5 to 4 daily. *Including code-share with IBX.

Suspensions:
Haneda - Miyakejima (MYE/RJTQ). *From April 1.
Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) - Hiroshima (HIJ/RJOA).

Not much new except for the resumption of Aomori service from July 1. Routes and frequencies are being swapped with IBEX Airlines (FW/IBX), which operates like a feeder carrier for ANA. The Miyakejima service is being transferred to New Central Airservice (CUK), allowing ANA Wings (EH/AKX) to retire its last remaining Bombardier DHC-8-300Q.

Source: All Nippon Airways (in Japanese)