AirAsia Japan (Nagoya Chubu) is set to relaunch during the middle of next year parent AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) has announced. In a statement, the Malaysian LCC said local investors in the project would include online retailer Rakuten Inc, the Octave Japan Infrastructure Fund I GK, local manufacturing conglomerate Noevir, and sporting goods manufacturer, Alpen Co. Ltd.
“We are very excited to return to Japan’s skies together with Octave, Rakuten, Noevir and Alpen this time round. I am more confident than ever that AirAsia Japan, led by Odi (Yoshinori Odagiri) with the strong partnership we have with our new investors, will continue to realize our vision to revolutionize the low-cost carrier segment of Japan. The AirAsia Japan team is now working hard with the relevant authorities to obtain necessary operational approvals, and we hope that all will be in place to start both domestic and international flights by the summer of 2015,” Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia, said.
Yoshinori Odagiri, the former CEO of the carrier's previous venture with ANA - All Nippon Airways (NH, Tokyo Haneda), will head the new carrier while Osamu Hata, previously a chief financial officer at Japan’s Dell unit, will take on the top financial role.
