• Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Okinawa confirmed as destinations
• Domestic services to start ahead of schedule in July 2012*
• Tokyo (Narita) announced as first base

Jetstar Japan has announced it expects take to the skies ahead of schedule on 3 July 2012, flying initially to five major Japanese cities.

The launch network of Tokyo (Narita), Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa will be serviced by an initial fleet of three new A320 aircraft.

Tokyo (Narita) has been confirmed as Jetstar Japan’s first base, with the airline now on track to be the first LCC to fly domestically from the nation’s capital. Fares and schedules will be announced soon.

Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan said Jetstar’s history as the first low cost carrier to fly to Japan was accelerating launch preparations.

“Serving the Japanese customer for the past five years with international services gives us a clear advantage in rolling out a domestic network,” Mr Buchanan said.

“The Jetstar brand is a known quantity in this market and that awareness is helping us put together a strong, hard-working local team.

“We’ve built up a lot of trust with Japanese consumers who know that when we say every day low fares, we mean it.”

The Jetstar Group’s status as the largest low cost carrier brand by revenue in Asia Pacific means the Japanese domestic network will be supported by almost 60 other destinations, including Singapore, China, Vietnam and Australia.

Since the start of 2012, the Jetstar Group has announced 36 additional weekly international flights, or more than 6,000 extra seats, to-and-from Japan.

Jetstar Japan CEO Miyuki Suzuki said the carrier was preparing for strong customer demand when fares to its first five destinations go on sale.

“In a country that’s never had a true low fares domestic network, the ability to travel for an average of 50 per cent less will open up new places and opportunities.”

Ms Suzuki said the reaction from Japanese people wanting to join the Jetstar team was extremely positive, with almost 10,000 expressions of interest received for cabin crew positions.

“The great response we’ve had from potential crew and the positive discussions we’re having with local airports has allowed us to bring our first flight forward by several months.”

(* Subject to regulatory approval)