Jetstar Japan is making preparations for its rebranding in July 2027. As part of the process, its first “transition-livery aircraft” (Airbus A320, registration JA18JJ), with the current “Jetstar” logos and other markings covered, arrived at Narita Airport on September 24.
Jetstar Japan is scheduled to transition from the “Jetstar” brand to a new brand following the transfer of all shares held by major shareholder Qantas Group. Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) will become a new shareholder, and the airline plans to shift to a management structure primarily backed by Japanese capital together with Japan Airlines (JAL) and Tokyo Century.
JA18JJ, which arrived this time, is the first aircraft to operate in transition livery during the changeover. It is one of six Airbus A320 aircraft that were subleased from Jetstar Japan to Jetstar Airways during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those aircraft, JA23JJ, JA06JJ, and JA11JJ have already returned to Jetstar Japan.
JA18JJ is the fourth aircraft to be returned. In conjunction with its return, it underwent painting work at an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company in France. The “Jetstar” logos on both sides of the fuselage, the “All day, every day, low fares” tagline, and the logos on both sides of the vertical stabilizer were painted over in gray, while the logo on the underside of the fuselage was painted over in orange.
▲JA18JJ with the logo near its vertical stabilizer painted over in gray
The cabin currently retains its previous configuration, but the remaining “Jetstar” logos on the forward cabin partition and service carts are also scheduled to be removed. The aircraft will operate in this transition configuration until the new brand is officially introduced.
JA18JJ departed Francazal, France, at 11:04 a.m. on September 21 and arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, at 6:42 p.m. the same day. It departed Baku at 3:49 p.m. on September 22 and arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan, at 8:26 p.m. It departed Almaty at 9:28 p.m. on September 23 and landed at Narita Airport at 9:15 a.m. on September 24, arriving at stand 444R eight minutes later. Two flight crew members and two mechanics were on board the ferry flight.
After undergoing necessary maintenance in Japan, the aircraft is expected to return to commercial service around October.
Jetstar Japan currently operates a fleet of 22 aircraft, comprising 19 Airbus A320s and three Airbus A321LRs. With JA18JJ’s return, the fleet will expand to 23 aircraft. JA12JJ and JA17JJ, which are currently subleased to Jetstar Airways, are also scheduled to be returned. In addition, the airline plans to introduce two newly built A321LR aircraft from October onward.
Starting with JA18JJ, Jetstar Japan will progressively convert its other aircraft to transition livery, with the current brand logos and other markings covered. The name of the new brand and aircraft design will be announced at a later date.
▲JA18JJ landing at Narita Airport
▲Aircraft in the previous livery
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This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
