Qantas,NRT and the 744
Qantas today announced it would increase capacity to Japan from July 2010.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said the airline would deploy a two-class Boeing 747-400 aircraft on selected flights between Sydney and Tokyo Narita to meet increased demand and complement the Qantas Group's two brand strategy in the Japan market.
"Qantas currently operates a daily service between Sydney and Tokyo using two-class Airbus A330-300s," Mr Joyce said.
From 5 July, six of these services will be operated by two-class Boeing 747-400 aircraft and the remaining one using an A330-200 aircraft.
"This will increase capacity by 115 seats per flight - of which 26 seats will be Business Class - and on a weekly basis, Qantas will add 1,256 seats on the route."
Mr Joyce said the increased demand for travel to Japan remains buoyant for leisure travel and is supported by a forecast for recovery in the business travel market.
"The growth comes on the back of increased travel to Japan by Australians, particularly in the leisure and VFR (visiting family and friends) markets," Mr Joyce said.
"Japan is also a key gateway for North East Asia traffic, particularly Korea, so this additional capacity will allow Qantas to grow this market."
Qantas has also announced a range of sales fares to support the increased capacity on the route. Until 16 March Qantas customers can enjoy a return fare from Sydney to Tokyo for AUD$1,128 inclusive of all taxes for travel between 1 June and 18 September 2010.
Qantas operates 10 flights a week between two Australian cities - Sydney and Perth - and Tokyo. Qantas also has daily codeshares with oneworld partner Japan Airlines (JAL) between Brisbane and Tokyo and between Singapore and Japan.