Jetstar Japan today marked several key milestones on its way to becoming the nation’s leading low cost carrier, including appointment of its Chief Executive Officer.

The announcement comes after the Jetstar Japan Board met for the first time in Tokyo last Friday to discuss progress towards the start of domestic services in Japan by the end of 2012.

On behalf of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of the Jetstar Group of airlines Mr Bruce Buchanan said a Japanese national with almost 30 years’ business experience would lead Jetstar Japan.

“I am very pleased to announce Ms Miyuki Suzuki as the Chief Executive Officer of Jetstar Japan.”

“Ms Suzuki brings a wealth of leadership experience, having worked at the most senior levels of large multinational companies in Asia with particular experience working in industries going through deregulation.

“Across several different sectors, Ms Suzuki has used innovation to drive efficiency and create better experiences for customers.

“Innovation is critical to Jetstar Japan because it is the key to managing cost and being able to consistently offer fares at least 40 per cent less than existing prices in the domestic market,” said Mr Buchanan.

Ms Suzuki, who will start in the new role on 1 December 2011, said she would be honoured to lead Jetstar Japan in unlocking a new era of more affordable travel for millions of Japanese.

“The Jetstar Group is an established presence across Asia Pacific with a strong pedigree of safety and price competitiveness, so I am very pleased to be joining as Chief Executive of Jetstar Japan.

“This is a unique time to be part of the aviation industry in Japan, with deregulation encouraging fresh investment and making the sector a catalyst for our nation’s prosperity,” said Ms Suzuki.

Among other milestones noted by the airline’s board were the formal incorporation of Jetstar Japan and receipt of the first round of funding from project partners Japan Airlines, Mitsubishi Corporation and the Qantas (Jetstar) Group. Total capitalisation commitment for the airline is up to ¥12 billion.

Mr Buchanan said negotiations with a range of potential suppliers and business partners, including airports across Japan, were progressing well and that the initial response from the broader community to the new airline had been extremely positive.

“Even though the Jetstar brand has been part of the Japanese market for almost five years, the welcome our announcement of our domestic airline has been tremendous.

“Our price beat guarantee, which means we will beat any competitor’s fare by 10 per cent at the time of booking, has resonated very strongly because it shows our absolute commitment to offering the lowest fares in what will be a competitive market,” added Mr Buchanan.