ZIPAIR (ZG, Tokyo Narita) is planning to obtain ETOPS certification for its reconfigured B787-8s before launching the world's first low-cost transpacific services, the carrier's executives revealed during the Singapore Air Show.
Flightglobal said the carrier had underlined that the popularity of the B787 in the United States ensures widespread access to spare parts and maintenance services needed for reliable transpacific flights.
The airline is using the resources of its parent JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda) to secure ETOPS certification. However, it has yet to fulfil the requisite conditions in terms of pilot training.
ZIPAIR will launch in May this year using two B787-8s transferred from its parent and converted to 290 seats in a dual-class configuration. The airline's first routes from Tokyo Narita will be to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Seoul Incheon.
The long-haul low-cost carrier plans to add a third B787-8 in early 2021 and have ten in total by 2024.
