Japanese Airlines Air Do and Solaseed Air to Merge Maintenance Units

In the ongoing process of synergizing operations following their merger a year ago, Japanese carriers Air Do and Solaseed Air, operating under the RegionalPlus Wings Corporation holding company, are reportedly planning to integrate their respective maintenance units.

The merger, officially concluded in October 2022, aimed to optimize revenue streams and reduce costs through the standardization, joint utilization, and integration of resources. While Air Do and Solaseed Air have maintained distinct brand identities, the holding company has facilitated collaboration in areas such as ground operations and in-flight sales.

According to a statement in Japanese, issued to mark the one-year anniversary of the merger, the next phase involves the integration of maintenance departments from both airlines. The goal is to achieve significant reductions in equipment maintenance costs. As part of the broader consolidation strategy, RegionalPlus Wings Corporation aims to achieve profits of JPY 9 billion (USD 60.4 million) by the fiscal year 2026.

In a strategic move announced in July, Air Do’s Chairman Takahiro Suzuki expressed the intention to expedite the fleet renewal program by one year, starting in 2026 instead of 2027. Air Do, currently operating four B767-300ERs and eight B737-700s, aims to introduce more fuel-efficient aircraft as part of its renewed fleet. Solaseed Air operates a fleet of fourteen B737-800s.