TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Amadeus announced on September 10 that it has formed a partnership with AirAsia (AK) enabling the Amadeus-subscribing travel agencies to book flights for the customers on the AK Group flights. The introduction of “Ticketless Access,” which is the Amadeus technology solution for LCCs (low cost carriers), has achieved its implementation by AirAsia and all its subsidiaries including its long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X (D7) presently planning its service to Japan. The Amadeus Ticketless Access enables more than 102,200 travel agencies worldwide using Amadeus GDS to book the respective AK group flights in the same way as the system allows for a full-service airline.

As it has been observed, LCCs, in many cases, decline to participate in a GDS which levies booking transaction fee on part of airlines in order to slash costs. By introducing a global distribution system, however, LCCs will enjoy benefits of not only enhancing the market diversification but also attracting new travel demand including business traffic through GDS- subscribing travel agencies. At the same time, the GDS enables travel agencies to provide more flexibilities and choices to their customers who are particularly budget-conscious. The number of Japanese business travelers flying LCCs is not available for statistics in the Japan market. According to AirAsia, it is receiving positive responses from overseas markets, particularly from Europe.

For your information, AirAsia had first joined hands with Galileo back in January 2006 in a drive to boost its distribution channel

Source: Travel Vision

Travel Vision Inc. provides information on the travel industry in Japan via "Daily Travel Vision", a Japanese-language e-mail newsletter, and the "Travel Vision" website. There are nearly 110,000 people working in the Japanese travel industry, and Travel Vision is proud to be bringing travel news to more than 30,000 people through Daily Travel Vision.

Ibaraki Airport (茨城空港) will soon become the 3rd international airport in the Tokyo metropolitan area, aiming to add to the long-term economic growth of the region. Though its new-concept, low-cost airport has not appeal much to both local and international carriers to mount flights to its airport, but is certainly looking forward to fill the gap between Narita airport and Haneda airport. It is capable to accommodate various demands, from domestic and international flights, to charter flights, and private business jet service.

With both Narita and Haneda both close to reaching its capacity, Ibaraki airport is unanimously chosen as a secondary airport for Tokyo.

Located just around 80km from central Tokyo, and there are two million people who are living in the vicinity, northwest fringes of Tokyo, it is able to benefit and bypass Tokyo air traffic for certain flights. Many believed that it is an immediate potential for low-cost carrier hub. Asiana has announced to operate daily service from Incheon airport, in Seoul and 3 times weekly services from Busan.

Air Asia X and few other regional carriers have also examined possible service to countries in the region; Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and China. However talks are still underway for domestic service to the cities of Naha, Fukuoka, Osaka and Sapporo.

The airport’s infrastructure is designed to support low-cost carriers with capability for a short turn-around time, is the basic requirement for any discount carrier. It has a departure lobby and an arrival lobby on the same floor for streamlining passengers’ movement and maximizing usage, and also by not requiring the use of a boarding bridge and using a boarding ramp instead, it is able to eliminate the high airport fees. The airport has an apron that allows even a wide-body aircraft to make a U-turn, all help contribute to reducing costs.

Access to Ibaraki airport:

Approximately 85mins using Airport Limousine Bus service leaving Tokyo Sta.

Approximately 90mins taking the Tsukuba Express Railway service from Akihabara Sta. to Tsukuba Sta.  then transfer using a bus/car to Ibaraki airport, adding another 45mins.

With Japan’s aviation demand growing rapidly, Ibaraki airport is expected to help ease the load, and serve to enhance the airport system.

JTB Corp. released a forecast of travel market for 2009 in which it predicts total travelers will shrink 1.3 percent from 2008 to 308.55 million. Overseas travelers, according to the forecast, will be 15.3 million, down 4.4 percent, and domestic travelers 293.25 million, down 1.1 percent. Total number of travelers is likely to mark a record low since 1997, and overseas travelers reach the second lowest level since 2003. Foreign visitors to Japan are expected to be 8.3 million, down 0.6 percent.

In overseas travel, leisure market is supposed to suffer a downturn under the influence of slackened world economy, what with uncertainties for the future and what with mental inhibition for making a trip. Business travel will also go downhill because of subdued capital spending and corporations’ cost-saving efforts despite the growing needs to tap new markets.

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