Spring Japan, the low-cost carrier under Japan Airlines (JAL) Group, announced on October 26 that it plans to increase its fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft from six to 10 by 2030, aiming to strengthen its China routes, where it has a competitive edge.
The airline will refurbish aircraft currently owned by JAL, with the modified planes scheduled to enter service gradually from fiscal 2027 onward. The six existing aircraft have 189 seats each, while the four additional aircraft will have 183 seats each. Once all four aircraft enter service, the airline’s available seat kilometers (ASK), a measure of passenger capacity, will double from the fiscal 2025 level.
Based at Narita International Airport, Spring Japan operates seven routes to Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as four domestic routes within Japan.
Under its slogan of building a “bridge between China and Japan,” the airline plans to expand existing routes and launch new ones as its fleet grows.
“We will develop routes not currently served by other airlines,” said company president Tatsuro Asami at a press conference on October 26.
Amid the Chinese government’s advisory urging citizens to exercise caution when travelling to Japan, the number of take-offs and landings on China routes at Narita Airport in August was around half the level recorded in the same month a year earlier.
Commenting on the situation, Asami said: “The market has always been substantial, and China routes remain at the core of our business. We believe passenger traffic will eventually recover.”
Spring Japan also announced on October 26 that it would refresh its aircraft livery and brand logo. The new design features green as its primary color, accented by pink cherry blossoms to highlight its Japanese identity.
The new livery will be rolled out gradually from mid-November. Cabin crew scarves and airport check-in counters will also be updated to match the new branding.
