Jetstar Japan is expected to start flying by the end of 2012, with an initial fleet of three new Airbus A320 aircraft, configured for 180 customers in a single class.

This fleet is planned to grow to 24 A320s within a few years. Total capitalization commitment for the new airline is up to ¥12 billion.

At a press conference to announce the launch of new China services last month, Chief Executive Officer of Jetstar, Bruce Buchanan (left), had declared this the decade of low cost for North Asia.

He said the new venture will link existing Jetstar services to Osaka and Tokyo with other leisure hot-spots across Japan.

Fares are expected to be an average of 40 percent lower than current prices and special sales with even lower prices, which will make regular air travel a reality for millions more people, he said.

“Jetstar is about bringing exciting travel options within reach for more people, by offering sustainably low fares,” he said.

“Jetstar Japan means people will be able to travel on our network into Japan, and then continue on to the famous ski fields or cultural centres under our much-loved orange star.”

Jetstar Japan expects to fly from Tokyo (Narita) and Kansai International, with other destination airports and bases being considered including Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa.

“As Jetstar expands into new markets across Asia, it gives us economies of scale to strengthen the low cost advantage right across our network,” said Buchanan.

Jetstar Japan will be the newest link in the airline’s expanding network, which already offers connections to 17 countries including Australia, Singapore, Vietnam and New Zealand.

Jetstar was the first low cost airline to enter Japan in 2007 with flights from Osaka and Tokyo to Cairns and the Gold Coast. In July 2010 Singapore and Taipei were connected to Osaka. More than 2 million people have since travelled on these routes.