Japan partial reopening prompts Asian airlines to add flights

Asian airlines are increasing the number of their international flights to meet gradually recovering demand now that Japan has reopened its border to business travelers, students and migrant workers who come over as intern trainees. After new infection numbers plummeted, the Japanese government in early November lifted its entry ban for these travelers. Although the country remains closed to tourists, airlines are gradually increasing the number of flights connecting cities elsewhere in Asia to Japan, where a severe labor crunch is developing as the population ages. ANA Holdings, the parent company of ANA, increased the number of flights connecting airports that serve Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City. Flights between the cities increased in November to five per week, up from three. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, ANA was covering the route with seven flights per week. Vietnam Airlines, which operates code-share flights with ANA, is expanding its own flights to Japan. Japan Airlines also increased the number of flights between Narita Airport, which serves Tokyo, and Ho Chi Minh City's airport to five per week, up from four. "With the relaxation of [entry] restrictions, the number of reservations for those who wish to travel from Hanoi to Japan is increasing," a JAL representative said. "At the moment, we have enough seats available, but we will pay close attention to reservation [trends] and consider increasing capacity as necessary." Before the pandemic caused nations to close their borders, Japan was a popular destination for some migrant workers from Southeast Asian countries, who could enter the country via a technical intern-trainee program.<br/>