Spring Airlines Japan

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Spring Airlines Japan
春秋航空日本
Shunjū Kōkū Nihon
IATA ICAO Callsign
IJ SJO JEY SPRING
Founded October 2012
Commenced operations 1 August 2014
Operating bases Narita International Airport
Fleet size 3
Destinations 4 (initial plan)
Parent company Spring Airlines, JTB, other Japanese investors
Headquarters Narita, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Key people Hiroshi Ukai, Representative Director
Total equity JPY 6 billion
Website jp.ch.com

Spring Airlines Japan Co., Ltd. (春秋航空日本株式会社 Shunjū Kōkū Nihon Kabushiki Gaisha?) is a low-cost airline headquartered in Kozunomori, Narita, Japan.[1] It is 33% owned by Spring Airlines, a Chinese low-cost carrier, with the remainder held by various Japanese investors. SAJ began operations in August 2014,[2] having originally planned to begin operations in autumn 2013.[3]

History

Spring Airlines announced in 2011 that it had plans to establish a subsidiary in Japan; it would be the first Chinese airline to do so.[4] Spring was required to find one or more local partners due to Japanese legal restrictions that would limit its investment to a minority stake.[5]

The airline received an air operator's certificate on December 17, 2013,[6] having filed in September 2013 with 1.5 billion yen of equity capital, of which Spring Airlines invested 33%. The remainder of the airline's capital was provided by Japanese financial institutions, IT enterprises and trading companies, among others. There were plans to raise a further 4.5 billion yen of capital prior to commencement of operations.[7] Japanese travel agency JTB announced in March 2014 that it would invest in Spring Airlines Japan and enter a partnership with the airline to provide Japan tour packages to Chinese customers.[8]

Spring Airlines Japan planned to use primarily Japanese staff, such as retired Japan Airlines pilots. Its head of operations, Minoru Uchida, was formerly a JAL pilot.[7]

Destinations

The airline serves the following destinations:[9]

Base
City Province/Region Country IATA ICAO Airport
Chongqing Yubei China CKG ZUCK Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Hiroshima Chūgoku Japan HIJ RJOA Hiroshima Airport
Saga Kyūshū Japan HSG RJFS Saga Airport
Takamatsu Shikoku Japan TAK RJOT Takamatsu Airport
Tokyo Kantō Japan NRT RJAA Narita International Airport
Wuhan Huangpi China WUH ZHHH Wuhan Tianhe International Airport

SAJ may also eventually operate international services from Japan to secondary cities in Taiwan.

Fleet

File:JA01GR 140413 RJAA 2585x1938.JPG
Spring Airlines Japan Boeing 737-800 at Narita International Airport

SAJ took delivery of its first Boeing 737-800, JA01GR, at New Chitose Airport in 17/7/2013.[10] Although Spring Airlines uses Airbus A320 aircraft, the Japan operation elected to use the 737 due to its greater popularity among Japanese airlines and the relative ease of finding 737-qualified pilots, and is considering adopting 737 MAX aircraft in the future.[7]

The aircraft are fitted in a 189-seat configuration with 18 seats (the first three rows) curtained off as a premium cabin.[11]

In December 2015, 2 737-800 from Air Berlin will be added as part of the retirement of AB 737 aircraft. It's one of 10 737-800 from AB for Japan.

Spring Airlines Japan Fleet
Aircraft In Fleet Orders Passengers
P Y
Boeing 737-800 3 2 21 168

References

  1. "会社概要." Spring Airlines Japan. Retrieved on May 29, 2014. "〒286-0048 千葉県成田市公津の杜4丁目11番2号"
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External links