SilkAir and Jetstar to Operate Charter Flights to Okinawa, Japan

The partnership between Changi Airport Group and the Japanese Prefecture of Okinawa has led to the creation of 14 direct charter services between Changi Airport and Naha Airport in Okinawa, from September 2014 to January 2015.

Of these direct services, SilkAir has committed to 12 charter services, which will see Okinawa be its first city link in Japan, while Jetstar, which already has a significant presence in Japan through its Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Japan companies, will operate two charter services.

The flights follow the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in March this year, where both partners had expressed their commitment to strengthen tourism and trade flow between Okinawa and Singapore, as well as other countries in the region.

Mr Wong Woon Liong, Senior Advisor, Changi Airport Group, said “The non-stop flights will bring about greater comfort and convenience to our leisure and business travellers. With the elimination of a stopover, the total air journey between Singapore and Okinawa will be almost halved from ten hours to slightly over five hours. Changi Airport Group is committed to working hand-in-hand with the Okinawa Prefecture Government to support airlines, travel agents and trade partners in establishing more non-stop charter services between Singapore and Okinawa, with a common and eventual goal of developing a scheduled passenger service between the two cities in the future.”

The increase in direct air-travel between the two markets, which includes ANA Cargo’s six weekly freighter services which commenced in May 2014, will enhance trade for fresh Japanese produce. Items including fish and seafood, as well as fruit and vegetables will be transported through Changi Airport’s twin temperature-sensitive cargo capabilities. Through SATS Coolport and dnata Coolchain, Changi Airport has a cool-chain handling capacity of more than 300,000 tonnes per year.

The Vice Governor of Okinawa Prefectural Government, Mr Yoshihisa Kawakami, said, “The MOU between Changi Airport Group and Okinawa Prefectural Government was signed to tighten relations between Singapore and Okinawa. With this MOU, the goal is to establish Okinawa as the hub of Japan amongst businesses and travellers in Southeast Asia, and to also institute Singapore as the key travel hub to Okinawa in the region.”