JAL Business Aviation – the new business aviation joint venture between Japan Airlines (JAL) and Marubeni – is on schedule to launch in the first half of 2019, according to reports.
JAL and Marubeni announced in January they will be establishing the new business jet company in order to meet the expanding demand of the service in Japan.
Services will include the arrangement of the charter flight, management of the privately owned aircraft, and provide operational and concierge services to business jet operators and to customers flying to Japan, with a target to start the service during the spring of 2019.
The new company, a joint venture between JAL and Marubeni, will contribute to the economic development of Japan by offering services and products that will maximize time spent traveling for customers. It will utilize JAL‘s worldwide network and Marubeni’s business knowledge in the aviation field.
The company will not own an aircraft fleet, but will mainly provide logistical support for business jet operations, such as charter flights and aircraft management. It will also provide operational and concierge services to business jet operators and to customers flying to Japan.
The company will mainly operate from Tokyo’s metropolitan area but in the future has capabilities to operate from JAL’s domestic operating bases within Japan.
JAL announced the new start-up in January, with capital of 150 million yen ($1.36 million). JAL owns 51 per cent of the venture with Marubeni owning the remaining 49 per cent.