Low-cost carriers aim for bigger slice of Japan market

[TOKYO] Many Asian airlines' overseas low-cost carriers (LCCs) are increasing their flights to and from Japan, as the relatively small number of Japanese LCCs means there is ample room for expanding their market share in the country.

Spring Airline Japan, a subsidiary of Chinese LCC Spring Airlines, will open three routes linking Narita Airport to Hiroshima, Takamatsu and Saga airports at the end of May. Spring Airlines already operates international routes linking Shanghai to Ibaraki, Takamatsu and Saga airports, and its expansion is intended to attract more Chinese customers by facilitating easier flight connections for them in Japan.

As at December, there were 12 overseas LCCs operating international flights to Japan, and most were based in Asian countries, with each airline aggressively increasing their routes. Cebu Pacific Air in the Philippines increased flights linking Kansai Airport with Manila in December, and AirAsia X in Malaysia will start flights connecting Chubu Airport with Kuala Lumpur in March.