Japan’s ZIPAIR confirms North American debut for late 4Q21

ZIPAIR Tokyo (ZG, Tokyo Narita) will make its intercontinental debut this Christmas (December 25) with 3x weekly flights between Tokyo Narita and Los Angeles Int’l in the United States.

Operations are onboard B787-8s, of which the JAL Group budget carrier operates two. ZIPAIR President Shingo Nishida told a media conference last week that a third B787-8, JA824J (msn 34834), is expected to enter service in late December while a fourth of the type, also ex-JAL – Japan Airlines inventory, will be put into service by the end of March next year. The budget airline is also expecting new-build jets from Boeing (BOE, Chicago O’Hare), although their delivery has been delayed due to manufacturing problems.

Based out of Tokyo Narita, ZIPAIR currently serves four destinations: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Seoul Incheon, Honolulu, and Singapore Changi. Given the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand, the LCC is active in the cargo niche. According to Nishida, his ideal ratio of passenger to cargo sales is 1:4.