A new Japanese low-cost carrier that will be partly owned by All Nippon Airways (ANA) plans to operate five narrowbody aircraft in its first year, before growing its fleet to up to 20 aircraft in five years.
The Osaka-based airline aims to begin flights to up to four domestic and four international destinations in its first year of operations, says an ANA spokeswoman.
"By the end of the fifth year of operations, we aim to have 15 to 20 aircraft in the fleet," she adds, saying that the carrier is still deciding between the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.
ANA is setting up the airline, which has yet to be named, in a joint venture with Hong Kong's First Investment group. Japanese investors will eventually hold a 66.7% stake in the airline, of which ANA will hold a 39% stake. First Eastern will have a 33.3% share.
First Eastern's chairman Victor Chu was quoted as saying in reports that the airline has committed to lease 10 narrowbodies, with the first to be delivered in September. ANA has previously announced that the airline will begin operations between October 2011 and March 2012.
ANA's spokeswoman declines to confirm Chu's remarks. Chu was not immediately contactable for comment.
In the reports, he was quoted as saying that the new airline plans to begin flights to cities in China such as Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
ANA's spokeswoman says the new airline's destinations and fleet plan will be announced after the joint venture is formally established this month.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
