Airport News Japan

First Chartered International Flights by Star Flyer to Seoul

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Starflyer aircraft

On September 13, Star Flyer (of Kitakyushu City) began operating international flights to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport.

For efficiency's sake, aircraft used for the airline's charter flights will be kept at the two 24-hour airports overnight. The first flight from Kitakyushu departed at 1:30 a.m., and the return flight arrived at 6:00 a.m. There were 144 passengers on the roundtrip flight according to the airline.

A departure ceremony was held for the flight at the departure gate at Kitakyushu Airport, and gifts were presented to the visiting Koreans on the return flight.

At the departure ceremony airline president Takaaki Hori thanked the people who made the flights possible. "Today we have realized a goal we have held since our founding, of operating international flights from Kitakyushu to East Asia. The local residents and all the many other people who have supported Star Flyer have our sincere gratitude."

The airline currently operates domestic flights between Kitakyushu and Haneda, and Kansai and Haneda, and hopes to build a network from stemming from Kitakyushu and stretching into East Asia. Further roundtrip flights from Kitakyushu to Incheon are planned for the 15th of this month, and October 11, 12 and 13. The airline will explore conducting more international flights upon ascertaining the business and operating situation. It hopes to achieve positive results operating charter flights so that it can offer regular international flights.

Starflyer (Japanese)