Delta Air Lines Returns to Fukuoka

US carrier Delta Air Lines is to resume flights to the Japanese city of Fukuoka following a ten year hiatus. The airline is to add a seasonal link from Honolulu from December 28 with between five and seven weekly Boeing 767-300ER rotations.

Delta last served Fukuoka from Portland International Airport in 2001, although it is only six years since JALways suspended scheduled flights between Fukuoka and Honolulu in 2005. At that time an estimated 173,000 O&D passengers were travelling between the two cities a year (2005) paying an average $722 each way.

In 2010 this figure had fallen to 104,000 O&D passengers, although the yield has significantly strengthened with average one-way fares rising to $1,024. The majority of these passengers are flying with Japan Airlines via Tokyo Narita, although around a quarter use the flights of Korean Air via Seoul Incheon.

Fukuoka is located on the northern shore of the Japanese island of Kyushu. It is Japan’s seventh largest city but currently has limited air connections outside of the Asia Pacific region. Delta Air Lines plans to use a Boeing 767-300ER on its new route to the city with flights currently scheduled for December 28 to April 3, 2012 and between July 13, 2012 and September 14, 2012.