Now AirAsia can fly again in Japan

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Japan Co Ltd, which recently reorganised its shareholding structure, has received the air operator’s certificate from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

AirAsia said in a statement that AirAsia Japan was scheduled to begin operations from its base at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi prefecture to Shin-Chitose Airport in Sapporo, Sendai Airport in Sendai and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei in spring 2016.
 
AirAsia group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said: “We are very excited to be back in Japan. We have fantastic partners here and we are united in the vision to change the way people travel in Japan.

“Centrair Airport is a fantastic base and with our new routes, we look forward not only to enable the Japanese to enjoy our direct destinations but to connect them to the rest of Asia and beyond on our extensive network.”

AirAsia first tried to enter the Japanese market by collaboratng with All Nippon Airways Co Ltd (ANA) in July 2011, but AirAsia withdrew from the joint venture in June 2013 due to “different management styles”.