ZIPAIR Tokyo

ZIPAIR, officially ZIPAIR Tokyo Inc. (株式会社ZIPAIR Tokyo, Kabushiki-gaisha Jippu-ea Tōkyō), is a low-cost airline, headquartered in Tokyo Narita Airport.[3][4] The airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines; it was founded in 2018 as a provisional company, and was initially expected to commence operations on 14 May 2020.[1][5] ZIPAIR plans to operate medium/long-haul international flights with Narita's Terminal 1 North Wing as its hub.[3][4] It was, however, announced in April 2020 that the commencement of the operation would be postponed due to the pandemic of COVID-19.[6] In May, ZIPAIR announced it would start cargo-only flights of Narita - Bangkok as its initial route on 3 June 2020, whilst passenger flights are still suspended.[2]

This article is about the present-day Japanese low-cost airline. For the defunct Canadian discount airline, see Zip (airline).

ZIPAIR
IATA ICAO Callsign
ZG TZP ZIPPY
Founded31 July 2018 (2018-07-31)
Narita, Chiba, Japan[1]
Commenced operations3 June 2020 (2020-06-03) (Scheduled)[2]
HubsTokyo Narita Airport
Fleet size2
Destinations0
Parent companyJapan Airlines
HeadquartersNarita, Chiba, Japan
Key peopleShingo Nishida (President)[3]
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced in May 2018 a plan for launching new international low-cost carrier (LCC) business during 2020 summer schedule, which was to compete with other Asian carriers, when JAL gradually noticed other LCCs attempting to expand into the Japanese market.[7] JAL established a wholly owned subsidiary for preparing the business, T.B.L. Co., Ltd. (株式会社ティー・ビー・エル, Kabushiki-gaisha Tī Bī Eru, standing for "To Be Launched"), in July that year.[1][8][9] It was estimated that they would commence operation just in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[10]

In March 2019, the brand of the new carrier was named ZIPAIR, referencing the words "Zip", which represents speed, and "ZIP Code".[3][11] Accordingly, T.B.L. was renamed "ZIPAIR Tokyo Inc."[3] ZIPAIR planned to commence flights to Bangkok and Seoul on 14 May and 1 July in 2020 respectively.[5] It was reported that they also aimed at expanding Asian destinations as well as commencing United States routes by 2021.[5][12][13][14]

In 2020, a novel coronavirus spread globally and many countries closed their borders to foreigners. Thailand banned all incoming passenger flights from 4 April,[15] and the Japanese government introduced strict border enforcement measures.[16] Under these circumstances, ZIPAIR announced on 9 April that its launch of service would be postponed until further notice.[6] On 21 May, it was announced that they had submitted an application to the Japanese authority for the launch of cargo flights between Tokyo and Bangkok to meet the needs for air cargo during the suspension of passenger flights.[2] They plan to commence the service on 3 June 2020, making use of their Boeing 787-8 aircraft.[2]

Also, ZIPAIR has officially applied for the Narita - Honolulu route and is looking to commence the service from the winter schedule in 2020.[17]

Destinations
Country City/Locality Airport Notes Ref
 JapanTokyoNarita International AirportHub[18]
 ThailandBangkokSuvarnabhumi AirportBegins 3 June 2020
(initially as cargo-only flights)		[2]
 South KoreaSeoulIncheon International AirportBegins 1 July 2020[18]
 United StatesHonoluluDaniel K. Inouye International AirportBegins 25 October 2020[17]

Fleet
ZIPAIR Boeing 787-8

As of March 2020, the ZIPAIR fleet consists of the following aircraft:[19]

ZIPAIR fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
J Y Total
Boeing 787-8 2 — 18 272[lower-alpha 1] 290[20] Leased from JAL[5]
Total 2 —

ZIPAIR plans to increase two 787-8 aircraft every year for a while by leasing them from JAL.[21]

See also

Notes
  1. The economy class seating arrangement is changed from 8 seats abreast configured by JAL to 9 seats abreast.

References
  1. "JAL Establishes Preparatory Company for New LCC Business" (Press release). Japan Airlines. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  2. "ZIPAIR Plan to Launch Cargo Flights to Bangkok" (Press release). ZIPAIR Tokyo. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  3. "Japan's First Medium to Long-Haul Low-Cost Carrier "ZIPAIR Tokyo" Now Established!" (Press release). Japan Airlines. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  4. "『ZIPAIR』成田空港第１ターミナル北ウイングの使用を決定" (Press release) (in Japanese). ZIPAIR Tokyo. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  5. Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (18 December 2019). "ZIPAIR、787の機内お披露目　上級席はフルフラット、全席モニターなしで軽量化". Aviation Wire (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  6. "ZIPAIR Postpones Launch of Service to Bangkok" (Press release). ZIPAIR Tokyo. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  7. "Zipair: a defensive move by JAL as AirAsia X expands in Japan". Centre for Aviation. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  8. "Establishment of a New International Low-Cost Carrier Business" (Press release). Japan Airlines. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  9. Kohase, Yusuke (31 July 2018). "JAL、LCC準備会社「TBL」設立　募集は秋から". Aviation Wire (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  10. "JAPAN AIRLINES NEW LCC TO BE CALLED ZIPAIR TOKYO". Australia Aviation. 11 March 2019.
  11. "Japan Airlines to launch ZIPAIR Tokyo low-cost long-haul carrier". The Jakarta Post. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  12. "JAL names new LCC Zipair Tokyo". FlightGlobal. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  13. Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (20 November 2019). "JAL、成田国際線を20年度3-5路線拡充　ZIPAIRも活用". Aviation Wire (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  14. Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (19 December 2019). "ZIPAIR、ハワイも有力　西田社長「マーケット大きい」". Aviation Wire (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  15. "Thailand suspends incoming flights". Bangkok Post. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  16. "Information related to New Coronavirus Infection(COVID-19) from Immigration Services Agency". Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  17. "Japan Airlines' Zipair Eyes 787 Hawaii Flights As First US Destination". SimpleFlying. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  18. "Zipair Tokyo on track for 2020 launch". Routesonline. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  19. "ZIPAIR Tokyo Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  20. "『ZIPAIR』使用機材、ボーイング787型機の客室が完成!!" (Press release) (in Japanese). ZIPAIR Tokyo. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  21. "ZIPAIR、ハワイ就航へ　米運輸省に申請、冬ダイヤ開設目指す". Aviation Wire (in Japanese). 22 April 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
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