AirAsia to launch Japan carrier with new partners

[TOKYO] AirAsia Bhd has decided on partners and top executives for a new discount airline in Japan after ending its tie-up with ANA Holdings last year.

The co-investors include listed companies, said Tony Fernandes, the Malaysian low-cost airline's group chief executive officer, without naming them. Yoshinori Odagiri, formerly CEO of AirAsia's Japanese tie-up with ANA, will head the new carrier with Osamu Hata, previously a chief financial officer at Japan's Dell unit, taking the top finance role, he said.

"We've gone with people we think are like-minded and bring strategic value," said Mr Fernandes, during a visit to Japan to meet them. "The timing is excellent for Japan with the new economic thinking." Japan's budget airline market has exploded in recent years, with three carriers starting flights in 2012, and Spring Airlines Japan set to start operations in May. The economy has expanded since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became PM in 2012.