THE dissolution of AirAsia Japan, a joint venture company between AirAsia Group and All Nippon Airways (ANA), has led to the creation of ANA-owned Vanilla Air.
AirAsia Japan’s operations are slated for termination by October 31 (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 25, 2013), after which ANA will rebrand the LCC to Vanilla Air.
The rebranded airline plans to launch operations in late December and further details on new routes and sales will be announced in late September.
According to AFP, ‘Vanilla’ was picked from among 200 other names over one-and-a-half months.
Tomonori Ishii, representative director and president of AirAsia Japan, commented in an official press statement: “We will change freshly as Vanilla Air, a visionary LCC to connect mainly between Tokyo-Narita and domestic/international resort destinations from November 1, 2013.
“The simple and sophisticated flavour of vanilla is popular among people worldwide. Besides, the aroma makes people relaxed and satisfied. (In the same way vanilla is enjoyed), we would like people in Japan, Asia and then all over the world to enjoy air travel easily and to have rewarding and happy leisure (travel experiences).”
The carrier would remain based at Narita airport, absorbing the 420-strong staff under AirAsia Japan, and increase the number of aircraft to 10 in 2015, said AFP. Vanilla will lease two passenger planes from ANA to launch operations.
