LCCs add Philippines-Japan flights as travel curbs ease
Low-cost carriers are adding flights between Japan and the Philippines, anticipating a rapid recovery of leisure and business demand now that the Southeast Asian archipelago has significantly eased COVID-related travel restrictions. AirAsia Philippines and Jetstar Japan have already begun or resumed flights between the nations. Zipair Tokyo, a unit of Japan Airlines, in July will begin service between Narita Airport, which serves Tokyo from the neighboring prefecture of Chiba, and Manila. "To airlines, it is a cash-cow route that can expect many passengers both from the Philippines and Japan," Shingo Nishida, president and CEO of Zipair Tokyo, told Nikkei. The airline will service the route with daily flights starting July 1. A one-way ticket from Narita to Manila starts at 11,000 yen ($78). Children under the age of 6 fly for a flat rate of 5,000 yen. The LCC charges extra for luggage, meals and other services that are free on legacy airlines. Zipair expects to serve leisure and business travelers from Japan as well as passengers from the Philippines eager to visit relatives living in Japan. It also intends to do business with travelers wishing to use Narita as a transit point. Zipair thinks it is unlikely to compete for passengers with Japan Airlines, as Japan-Philippine flights are in high demand and most of the LCC's customers are younger. With about 110m inhabitants, the Philippines is Southeast Asia's second-most populous country. Its population is also expected to top Japan's within a few years. The Philippines' median age is 25.3, and its gross domestic product since the second quarter of 2021 has grown more than 6% year-on-year for eight consecutive quarters. The country's economy and middle class are expected to further expand, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. "The Philippines' strengths lie in its demographic dividend and its high proficiency in English," Zipair's Nishida said. "I think more Filipinos will increase their presence in North America."<br/>
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LCCs add Philippines-Japan flights as travel curbs ease
Low-cost carriers are adding flights between Japan and the Philippines, anticipating a rapid recovery of leisure and business demand now that the Southeast Asian archipelago has significantly eased COVID-related travel restrictions. AirAsia Philippines and Jetstar Japan have already begun or resumed flights between the nations. Zipair Tokyo, a unit of Japan Airlines, in July will begin service between Narita Airport, which serves Tokyo from the neighboring prefecture of Chiba, and Manila. "To airlines, it is a cash-cow route that can expect many passengers both from the Philippines and Japan," Shingo Nishida, president and CEO of Zipair Tokyo, told Nikkei. The airline will service the route with daily flights starting July 1. A one-way ticket from Narita to Manila starts at 11,000 yen ($78). Children under the age of 6 fly for a flat rate of 5,000 yen. The LCC charges extra for luggage, meals and other services that are free on legacy airlines. Zipair expects to serve leisure and business travelers from Japan as well as passengers from the Philippines eager to visit relatives living in Japan. It also intends to do business with travelers wishing to use Narita as a transit point. Zipair thinks it is unlikely to compete for passengers with Japan Airlines, as Japan-Philippine flights are in high demand and most of the LCC's customers are younger. With about 110m inhabitants, the Philippines is Southeast Asia's second-most populous country. Its population is also expected to top Japan's within a few years. The Philippines' median age is 25.3, and its gross domestic product since the second quarter of 2021 has grown more than 6% year-on-year for eight consecutive quarters. The country's economy and middle class are expected to further expand, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. "The Philippines' strengths lie in its demographic dividend and its high proficiency in English," Zipair's Nishida said. "I think more Filipinos will increase their presence in North America."<br/>
