Jetstar Asia opens International flight route between Naha and Singapore

Jetstar Asia opens International flight route between Naha and Singapore

On November 16, 2017, at the Okinawa Prefectural Government, Singapore Ambassador Lui Tuck Yew (left) and Governor Takeshi Onaga shake hands.


 

November 17, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

The first regular direct flight between Naha Airport in Okinawa and Changi International Airport in Singapore begins service on the 17th.

Singapore Ambassador to Japan Lui Tuck Yew who arrived in Okinawa on the 16th to attend the opening ceremony visited Governor Takeshi Onaga.

The ambassador expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to promote exchange between Singapore and Okinawa through the opening of the route.

Governor Onaga expressed his willingness to build the relationship beyond tourism, saying that “We can build a mutual win-win exchange as a nodal point between Japan and Singapore.”

 

It is the first time regular flights to Singapore have been opened, though there were direct charter flights for a limited time.

Singaporeʻs low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia Airlines operates three times a week on Monday, Friday, and Sunday.

It was a long-sought goal for Okinawa to open a route to Singapore which has become the international financial hub of Southeast Asia.

In March 2014, the prefecture signed a cooperation agreement with the Changi Airport Group to strengthen the airline network.

 

In 2015 when Governor Onaga took up a post, the governor opened a prefecture office in Singapore and visited Jetstar to request that the service be launched.

 

Ambassador Lui mentioned the growing recognition of Okinawa as a world resort destination as he said in an interview that “Okinawa was the most popular new destination in a Jetstar survey.

The opening of the route will be convenient for Malaysia and Indonesia as well.”

 

Furthermore, he said, “There is a lot to learn from Okinawa about longevity and health.

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University is also renowned worldwide, and further cooperation can be deepened in the field of science and technology.”

 

Governor Onaga said, “Naha Airport has increased the accumulation of cargoes which will strengthen not only tourism but also physical distribution.

We hope to create a flow of people and things from Singapore to Japan and from Japan to Singapore via Okinawa.”

 

The prefecture expects that the opening of the route will lead to an increase in visitors from Europe and Australia through Changi Airport.

The Prefectural Government Culture, Tourism and Sports Division Director Kadekaru Takao said, “Our request was rejected ten years ago due to ʻinefficiency of relaying.’

We will connect with Singapore, and thereby also strengthen our promotion campaign to Europe and Australia.”

 

(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)

 

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