CLARK FREEPORT – A new direct service from the Clark International Airport (CIA) to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan was announced here by Jetstar Asia Airways on Friday.
Starting March 27, Jetstar Asia will operate three weekly services between the CIA here and Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan.
Jetstar Asia CEO Bara Pasupathi said this direct service is an exciting development and the first connection from Northern and Central Luzon to Japan.
“We are delighted to bring this service to all our customers in this region,” he said.
“Apart from the greater convenience for our travelers, this service will increase Jetstar’s capacity up to three services a week to Kansai International Airport and Clark will now be the latest gateway in the region for both Singapore and Filipino travelers to fl y to Osaka,” Pasupathi said.
From Singapore, Jetstar Asia currently operates up to 12 services through Taipei to Osaka and up to five services through Manila to Osaka.
“Clark International Airport will be the second gateway in the region for Singapore and Japanese travelers to fl y to the Philippines,” said Pasupathi.
A statement from Jetstar said: “Collective from Taipei, Manila and now Clark, Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Japan will now operate up to 23 services to Osaka.”
Alexander Cauguiran, OIC of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), said in a statement: “This is another good news for this new year! Our business travelers or family tourists from Northern and Central Luzon and those who wish to visit our popular local destinations may now fly Jetstar Asia to and from Japan via Clark and at the same time enjoy low fares.”
“Jetstar Asia is one of our dependable partners in the development of Clark airport. The newest Clark-Osaka route is indeed a fresh development as it will be a welcome addition to the growing number of passengers and to Clark’s 166 international weekly flights,” Cauguiran said.
Jetstar’s one-way Economy Starter Fares from the Philippines starts from P4,698.
The new service will be operated by Jetstar Asia’s 180-seat Airbus A320.
From Manila, customers can also connect up to 17 international services on sister airline, Jetstar Japan to Narita, Osaka and Nagoya in Japan.
Jetstar’s flight schedules are: 3K777 Clark – Osaka Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 0700/1155; and 3K778 Osaka – Clark Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 1255/1615.
The Clark-Osaka announcement was preceded in late November last year by Jetstar’s launching of flights between Clark and Singapore.
Kansai International Airport, located on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, opened on September 4, 1994 to relieve overcrowding at Osaka International Airport which is closer to the city of Osaka and now handles only domestic flights.
In 2016, 25.2 million passengers used the Kansai airport making it the 30th busiest airport in Asia and third busiest in Japan.
