Lequios Airlines has applied to operate flights between Tokyo's Haneda airport and Naha in Okinawa Prefecture, beginning June 1, company officials said Wednesday.
Lequios is aiming to offer fares that are 30 percent cheaper than those offered by the major airlines. The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry is expected to approve the request around March after examining the flight plan, making the Naha-based airline the fourth new carrier to use Haneda airport.
The other three new entrants are Tokyo-based Skymark Airlines; Hokkaido International Airlines, better known as Air Do; and Miyazaki-based Skynet Asia Airways.
Lequios, established in August 1997 as a joint venture involving local midsize companies and other concerns, plans to purchase a Boeing 767-300ER jet to fly two daily round-trip flights between Haneda and Naha.
The carrier plans to increase its daily return flights to five beginning December 2003 after buying another aircraft.