JAL Group has confirmed it will seek fresh investment for its now confirmed plans to launch a separate longhaul low-cost carrier.
According to an airline statement issued on Monday, May 14, the yet-to-be-named carrier will tentatively be incorporated in July of this year ahead of a planned 2020 launch, presumably in time for the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.
Ahead of its launch, JAL said it would "accept new investors" in order to "expand the LCC's business model". The move mirrors that of Jetstar Japan (GK, Tokyo Narita) where JAL has partnered Qantas Group, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Tokyo Century Corporation.
In terms of operations, JAL said the LCC would launch using a pair of B787-8s using Tokyo Narita as its principal hub. It will serve destinations in Asia, Europe, and North America that do not overlap with its full-service sister, JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda).
"When JAL establishes the new LCC business, the company aims to create new demand, working along with the successful services provided by Jetstar Japan, which features domestic and short-haul international flights," it said. "Through these actions, the company will take on the challenge to deliver and meet the needs of diversified customer groups around the world."
JAL said that if the project does indeed launch in 2020 as anticipated, then its first profit is expected in 2023.
