Jetstar will begin daily flights between Bangkok and Japan’s sixth largest city Fukuoka from 26 June 2014, opening up low fares travel options between the two popular Asian destinations.
Fukuoka is located in Kyushu, the third largest island in Japan and is the third international Japanese port for Jetstar.
Jetstar Asia CEO Bara Pasupathi said the visa waiver for Thai travelers has made Japan a popular overseas destination.
“For the first time, Jetstar customers from Bangkok will be able to enjoy the first direct LCC flight to Fukuoka,” said Pasupathi.
Japan is continuing to present growth opportunities for the Jetstar network.
“Japan remains a popular destination for travelers in our region and it also represents a market where low cost travel is growing enormously,” he said.
“We have seen Jetstar Japan, now the largest LCC in Japan, really open up the domestic aviation market and stimulating new travel opportunities for new low fare destinations,” said Pasupathi.
LCCs were introduced to the domestic Japan market in 2012, with airports across Japan experiencing increasing passenger traffic. Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Tourism attributed the 8.7% increase in domestic air travel year on year in November 2013 to the introduction of LCCs and the strengthening Japanese economy.
“Fukuoka has lots of attractions that our leisure travelers love, like mountains, hot springs, food and culture. New low fares access allows our customers to enjoy more of what Japan has to offer,” said Pasupathi.
The mayor of Fukuoka, Soichiro Takashima said that the service heralds a new era of travel choices and opportunities for the city.
“Since Jetstar Japan launched its domestic operations to Fukuoka in 2012, the residents have benefitted from more holiday destinations at low fares,” Takashima said.
“Over the last two years, Fukuoka has seen more visitors from all around Japan as well as an increase in the number of international tourists arriving at Fukuoka Airport with the easing of visa requirements to Japan.
“With the launch of Singapore-Bangkok-Fukuoka by Jetstar Asia, Fukuoka Airport will gain importance as an international gateway to the Fukuoka and Kyushu region.
“We look forward to welcoming more visitors from the two cities when the service takes off,” he said.
The Jetstar Group currently operates 62 flights a week to Thailand with services from Singapore, Melbourne, and Sydney to Phuket and services from Melbourne and Singapore to Bangkok.
The Bangkok-Fukuoka service will originate from Singapore as part of flight 3K509.
The new daily service will be operated by Jetstar Asia’s 180-seat Airbus A320. Fares will be available for purchase from 19 February and start from THB3,990. To book flights, please visit Jetstar.com.
Fares are one-way, checked baggage not included. You can choose from 15kg to 40kg checked baggage for an additional THB405 to THB1,185. Availability is limited, not available on all flights or days. Conditions apply.
