JUST 18 months into operation, Jetstar Japan has served three million passengers, becoming Japan’s fastest-growing airline.
The airline’s milestone was achieved in a year that has seen Japan’s domestic passenger air traffic increase for the first time in six years.
Jetstar Japan CEO, Miyuki Suzuki, said the Japanese aviation market is going through a positive period of growth.
“It is exciting to see the transformational effect low-cost carriers are bringing to Japan. Not only is Jetstar Japan growing but we are helping to stimulate overall market growth with record passengers now through ports such as Tokyo (Narita) and Shin Chitose (New Chitose in Hokkaido).
Separately, Jetstar has also announced its commencement of direct services from Melbourne to Tokyo Narita from April 2014, subject to government approval.
Melbourne Airport CEO, Chris Woodruff, said the new service will provide an important link for Victoria’s business and export industries to one of Australia’s largest trading partners.
“Japan is also a significant market for Victoria’s education and tourism industries. As a growing holiday destination, it’s great news for those leisure passengers heading to the popular ski slopes as they will no longer be required to make an unnecessary stopover,” said Woodruff.
“Despite having to make a stopover, over the last 12 months the number of people travelling between Victoria and Japan has grown by 10 per cent to reach 150,000, making Melbourne the fastest growing Japanese market across eastern Australia.”
