Jetstar is celebrating the launch of its first direct service between Melbourne and Tokyo (Narita) after flight JQ 23 took off from Melbourne Airport last night.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Officer David Hall said it was an exciting time to launch flights between two of the world’s most vibrant cities.

“Japan is Australia’s second largest export market as well as one of our top sources of inbound tourism,” Mr Hall said.

“With more than 13 million people in Tokyo and another four million here in Melbourne this route now serves the largest population base in our network.

“We believe the addition of this route will provide a timely boost to Victorian tourism with up to 50,000 Japanese travellers expected to fly to Melbourne on these services each year.

“As trade and cultural relations between Australia and Japan continue to strengthen, we’re excited about the increasing role we’ll play in linking the great cities of Tokyo and Melbourne.”

Tourism and Major Events Minister Louise Asher welcomed the new service between Melbourne and Tokyo which she said will enhance tourism markets between the two countries.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to increasing air services to our priority markets including Japan”, Ms Asher said.

Jetstar has a built a strong presence in Japan since launching international services from Australia in 2007.

Jetstar Airways now offers up to 18 flights a week to Tokyo (Narita) from the Gold Coast, Cairns and Melbourne and up to seven flights a week between Cairns and Osaka.

In July 2012 Jetstar Japan launched domestic operations and has since grown to become the largest low fares carrier operating out of Narita Airport with flights to another nine cities across the country.

Mr Hall said flight JQ 23’s arrival in Narita was well timed for connecting flights on Jetstar Japan’s domestic network.

“With the introduction of this direct route to Narita, Victorian travellers will now benefit from convenient one-stop flights to popular Japanese destinations such as Fukuoka and Sapporo,” Mr Hall said.

“It’s really pleasing to see the different Jetstar branded airlines across Asia Pacific joining the dots.”

Jetstar’s Melbourne to Tokyo flights will operate four times weekly on wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft fitted with business and economy class seating. The route will eventually be operated by the game changing Boeing 787 Dreamliner* as Jetstar continues to take delivery of its 11 Dreamliners on order.

Jetstar Japan is the largest low fares carrier in Japan flying to 10 cities with a fleet of 18 Airbus A320s. The Japanese low fares carrier recently celebrated carrying four million domestic passengers – a milestone it reached faster than any other Jetstar branded airline.

One sixth of the Qantas Group’s revenue is generated from operations to, from and within Asia.

* Subject to government and regulatory approval.

Sale information

To celebrate the launch of the Melbourne – Tokyo route, Jetstar fares will be on sale from 29 April (12:00pm) until 4 May (23:59pm), unless sold out prior. Sale fares from Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Tokyo (Narita) are available for $289* and from Cairns to Tokyo (Narita) for $229* for travel between 20 May 2014 and 16 July 2014. Sale fares for travel within Japan are also available. For all the details and to book visit Jetstar.com.

* Fares are one-way, checked baggage not included. Availability is limited, not available on all flights or days. Conditions apply.