Peach Aviation held a banner farewell event at Narita Airport on July 1 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tokyo/Narita-Amami route.
The event targeted the MM541 flight departing Tokyo/Narita for Amami at 7:00 AM (Airbus A320 aircraft, registration JA14VA) with a crew of 8 and 174 passengers including 3 infants. Despite the rainy weather at Narita Airport that day, Peach staff held up banners towards the aircraft to bid farewell to the passengers.
The Tokyo/Narita-Amami route by Peach, despite the reduction of flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has continued without suspension for the past 10 years. Takashi Ushio, Head of Narita Operation Support Center, in his address, mentioned that “Over the past 10 years, we have catered to approximately 1.35 million passengers on the Amami route, contributing to regional revitalization and an increase in the population involved in exchanges. Today, the route is utilized not only by younger individuals but also by families and the elderly.”
Regarding the uniqueness of the route, “it’s a bit different from Okinawa and Ishigaki. It’s less about resorts and more about enjoying nature. Amami is renowned for its World Heritage-listed mangroves among various natural attractions, attracting many visitors to fully enjoy these.” The load factor varies by season, with June seeing 90% but averaging 60-70% throughout the year.
From July 1, the Tokyo/Narita-Osaka/Kansai-Amami route operated by Peach started one round-trip daily. Additionally, a special ‘Island Bus’ featuring Peach’s aircraft livery will operate around Amami Oshima from July 1 until the end of September (scheduled), covering the route from Amami Airport to Naze City via the Setouchi Marine Station.
■Flight Schedule MM541 Tokyo/Narita (07:00) to Amami (09:30) / Daily (Until August 31) MM541 Tokyo/Narita (07:00) to Amami (09:40) / Daily (September 1 to October 26) MM542 Amami (10:10) to Tokyo/Narita (12:35) / Daily (Until August 31) MM542 Amami (10:20) to Tokyo/Narita (12:35) / Daily (September 1 to October 26)
MM205 Osaka/Kansai (11:15) to Amami (13:05) / Daily (Until September 30) MM206 Amami (13:45) to Osaka/Kansai (15:20) / Daily (Until September 30)
