Skymark Airlines Co., a new entry to the airline business, applied Friday to the Transport Ministry for a license to launch regular service between Tokyo and Fukuoka.
If Skymark begins the service later this year as scheduled, it will become the first national airline in 37 years to start operation in a market where three existing carriers are effectively dominant.
"The application was accepted (by the ministry). Although we had many difficulties since we set up the firm one year and two months ago, we could take one important step forward," said Skymark Chairman Hideo Sawada.
Skymark, owned by discount travel agency H.I.S. Co. and other firms, plans to operate a 309-seat Boeing 767-300ER from Sept. 13, linking Tokyo's Haneda airport to Fukuoka with three flights a day.
Sawada said by entering the airline business, the firm aims to usher in competition with a low-fare approach and improved convenience, taking advantage of ongoing deregulation efforts. Air fares have not been decided.
Skymark President Jun Okawara said the airline plans to offer a second route in November, and estimates sales between 7 billion yen and 8 billion yen for the initial year from Sept. 13 to March 31, 1999.
Skymark plans to sign a contract with All Nippon Airways Co. to commission maintenance work, crew training and handling of passengers and cargo at airports.