AirJapan will see its fleet grow in 2026 by adding a third Boeing 787 to elevate flying.
Backed by the ANA Group, the new low-cost division has received word that the mainline division can ship another 787-8 to the AirJapan brand.
Given the all-clear, forecasting suggests that the 787-8 will enter the fleet between January and March 2026, which is still some 12 months away.
The latest commentary follows previous guidance from AirJapan stating that new routes and new aircraft will be launched across FY2025, which, based on how Japan operates, does stretch into the 2026 calendar year.
Previously, there was no quarterly expectation for when the next unit would arrive. However, for the moment, the expected arrival coming in some 12 months does mean route expansion will be restricted.
Boeing 787 deliveries for ANA have thrown complications in the development of the AirJapan fleet, with the mainline brand struggling to acquire the planes it requires on time, which substantially pushes out route launches, aircraft swaps, and more.
Currently, the airline operates all its services from Tokyo Narita. The 787 is the only aircraft type in the fleet. Units were transferred from ANA and configured in the new seating arrangement, which can accommodate 324 passengers.
The route ranges from Tokyo Narita to Seoul Incheon, Singapore Changi and Bangkok. These are three critical markets to serve to/from Japan. However, the carrier knows there are more with potential.
Who Are AirJapan?
AirJapan was launched in 2024 to offer international routes covering Asia. It is a low-cost carrier and one of the ANA Group’s three brands.
Mainline ANA shipped some of its Boeing 787s to aid in its launch plans. The aircraft were repainted and configured with the AirJapan cabin product, giving them a fresh, clean slate for operations.
Upon launch, the airline didn’t expand quickly; instead, it focused on offering three modest routes in its first year of operation to get the basics down pat.
In FY2025, the carrier is expected to expand further with the arrival of more Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will facilitate the launch of new routes. The routes the airline will launch are currently unconfirmed but will be revealed later.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daniel Fowkes is a Melbourne-based aviation analyst and journalist with over a decade of industry experience. As founder of Dj’s Aviation, he delivers trusted analysis on aircraft, airline strategy and global aviation trends for djsaviation.net
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