Jetstar and JAL to extend codeshare

Jetstar and JAL have extended their codeshare arrangements.

Jetstar and Japan Airlines have announced plans to expand and extend their codeshare arrangements on flights between Australia and Japan for a further two years.

Adding to the agreement first signed in 2007, the two airlines will extend the agreements currently in place for services between Cairns and Tokyo, Gold Coast and Osaka, and Cairns-Osaka, and will see Gold Coast-Tokyo added to the codeshare arrangement.

“This outcome is of both strategic importance to the Qantas Group and Australian tourism, allowing Jetstar to better leverage our existing strong brand presence in Japan by partnering with the distribution capability, wholesale and retail presence of Japan Airlines in their home market,” said Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan. “As the largest operator and single biggest investor in marketing Australia-Japan flying today, Jetstar’s relevance with Japanese consumers will only be strengthened by delivering greater choice for them to access affordable overseas travel experiences.”

The new arrangements commenced on November 25.

Meanwhile, Jetstar parent Qantas has applied to the IASC (International Air Services Commission) to permit Japan Airlines to codeshare on Qantas flights between Perth and Tokyo. Qantas operates on the route three times weekly with 229-seat two class Boeing 767-300s.