Amakusa Airlines, a new Japanese regional carrier, is to start operations with a recently ordered Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8, according to Bombardier Aerospace.
Delivery of the 39-seat Dash 8-100 will take place next October, but the airline does not plan to launch revenue services until early 2000. Amakusa was formed in October, with 80% of the airline's shares held by local prefectures, of which the largest is Kumamoto in southern Japan.
The prefecture is also constructing a new airport with a 1,000m (3,300ft) runway on the island of Amakusa, south of Kumamoto, and gives the Dash 8's runway performance as a major factor in its choice of the aircraft.
Flights will operate from Amakusa island, a popular tourist resort, to both Fukuoka and Kumamoto, providing an air link for the first time. There has previously been only a sea ferry.
Source: Flight International
