Japan the new front in Jetstar, AirAsia battle

Qantas's budget offshoot, Jetstar, has brought forward the launch of its Japanese subsidiary by several months, in an attempt to pip its Malaysian rival, AirAsia, in setting up domestic services there. Jetstar Japan had originally intended to begin flights on domestic routes late this year but today slated July 3 as the launch date. It also confirmed that the joint venture between the Qantas Group, Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi will begin with a network linking Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa. The Japanese budget airline will begin with a fleet of just three new A320 aircraft - each seating 180 passengers - before increasing it to 24 within several years. Jetstar and AirAsia are engaged in a two-horse race to set up subsidiary airlines around Asia. (Sydney Morning Herald)