It seems ANA want to really get into this Low Cost Carrier thing. As well as developing their own Lo-Co “Peach Aviation”, they have also today annoucned a new joint venture with Air Asia to form Air Asia Japan.
The aim is to go after the Japanese domestic market. As such, ANA and Air Asia have agreed not to attack the new airline – however the agreement allows Peach Aviation to go on the offensive if required from it’s base at Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. Peach will not be allowed to serve Tokyo Narita in this agreement.
From it’s base, it’s clear where Air Asia wishes to spread next via this new subsiduary – Japan itself, as well as North China, South Korea and Taiwan, whilst linking it up further with it’s South East Asian markets.
ANA is the “Other” major carrier in Japan and competes with JAL as well as other local airlines. Air Asia is represented in Japan already by it’s Air Asia X subsidiary, running long haul services.
No launch date has been announced or equipment specified, but it has been confirmed that Air Asia Japan when operating will operate from Tokyo Narita Airport.
When this shakes out, it’ll be interesting how “toe to toe” Peach and Air Asia Japan go. Japan’s domestic market tends to be based on big birds tightly packed to the gills in high density operations – it’ll be interesting to see how these adapt.
