Japan Air Commuter starts operations with ATR
Toulouse, April 26, 2017 – Japan Air Commuter Co. Ltd. (JAC) performed its first ATR 42-600 flight today. JAC’s flight 3741 departed from Kagoshima at 8:50 am (local time) for a 40-minute flight to Yakushima. The aircraft then performed three flights, from Yakushima to Kagoshima, from Kagoshima to Okinoerabu, and back to Kagoshima.
A subsidiary of Japan Airlines, the national flag carrier, JAC therefore becomes a new ATR operator. The entry into service of JAC’s first ATR is a major milestone for ATR, for which Japan is a key market.
Japan is preparing for a huge influx of tourists. Its government hopes to welcome 40 million visitors by 2020. In addition to hosting major events such as the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Olympic Games in 2020, Japan is promoting the natural beauty and cultural heritage of its regions.
Prior to the official petitioning for the UNESCO World Natural Heritage in 2018, the Amami islands have been designated as a national park as recently as March. A successful designation as a world natural heritage will boost the tourism potential of the region, as the already famed Yakushima is located in the neighbouring area. These Natural Heritage candidate islands will all be served by ATRs to ensure connectivity for a growing number of foreign tourists. As 35% of Japanese domestic routes are below 300 nm, ATRs are optimally suited to further develop regional connectivity.
The brand-new ATRs will be operating on connections from and to small islands and communities across the country. The specific features of the Japanese market demand flexible, cost-efficient, high quality and technologically advanced aircraft, all characteristics that ATRs fully match.
ATR 42-600s also have the world’s lowest energy consumption in terms of consumption per passenger and per kilometre. ATR has a strong commitment to mitigate the environmental impact of the commercial aviation sector and focuses on constantly improving its aircraft to meet the highest environmental standards. These green credentials are key in attracting sales in environmentally conscious markets, and Japanese passengers are known to be among the most cognisant and demanding travellers about environment and excellence.
About Japan Air Commuter:
Founded in 1983, Japan Air Commuter is a JAL Group company with Japan Airlines holding 60% as its main shareholder, and the remaining shares jointly held by the 12 Municipalities of the Amami Islands of Kagoshima, Kyushu. Based in Kagoshima Airport, Japan Air Commuter operates 19 aircraft, 97 daily departures on 23 routes, and serves as the essential public air transport means for 1.6 million passengers annually between the beautiful Amami Islands and Western Japan.
A subsidiary of Japan Airlines, the national flag carrier, JAC therefore becomes a new ATR operator. The entry into service of JAC’s first ATR is a major milestone for ATR, for which Japan is a key market.
Japan is preparing for a huge influx of tourists. Its government hopes to welcome 40 million visitors by 2020. In addition to hosting major events such as the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Olympic Games in 2020, Japan is promoting the natural beauty and cultural heritage of its regions.
Prior to the official petitioning for the UNESCO World Natural Heritage in 2018, the Amami islands have been designated as a national park as recently as March. A successful designation as a world natural heritage will boost the tourism potential of the region, as the already famed Yakushima is located in the neighbouring area. These Natural Heritage candidate islands will all be served by ATRs to ensure connectivity for a growing number of foreign tourists. As 35% of Japanese domestic routes are below 300 nm, ATRs are optimally suited to further develop regional connectivity.
The brand-new ATRs will be operating on connections from and to small islands and communities across the country. The specific features of the Japanese market demand flexible, cost-efficient, high quality and technologically advanced aircraft, all characteristics that ATRs fully match.
ATR 42-600s also have the world’s lowest energy consumption in terms of consumption per passenger and per kilometre. ATR has a strong commitment to mitigate the environmental impact of the commercial aviation sector and focuses on constantly improving its aircraft to meet the highest environmental standards. These green credentials are key in attracting sales in environmentally conscious markets, and Japanese passengers are known to be among the most cognisant and demanding travellers about environment and excellence.
About Japan Air Commuter:
Founded in 1983, Japan Air Commuter is a JAL Group company with Japan Airlines holding 60% as its main shareholder, and the remaining shares jointly held by the 12 Municipalities of the Amami Islands of Kagoshima, Kyushu. Based in Kagoshima Airport, Japan Air Commuter operates 19 aircraft, 97 daily departures on 23 routes, and serves as the essential public air transport means for 1.6 million passengers annually between the beautiful Amami Islands and Western Japan.
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About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72 aircraft the best-selling aircraft in the less than 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company’s employees is to help everyone, no matter where they are in the world, to connect and develop in a responsible manner. Thanks to the efficiency of turboprop technology and the benefits of the company’s focus on continuous innovation, ATR aircraft open over 130 new routes every year on average, burn 45% less fuel and emit 45% less CO2 than regional jets. For all of these reasons, ATR aircraft have been chosen by some 200 companies in 100 countries around the world. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.