Airlines eye new slots at Haneda (Tokyo)

[moa999]

For OW connections the existing arrangement is good.

Depends what you want. I'd think QF services have far more domestic Japanese connections (which are better at HND) than international.

The limousine bus is pretty easy albeit can get caught in traffic.

 

[drron]

On the other hand using the NEX to start your JR pass journey is mighty easier than having to start at HND.
And renting a car at NRT and travelling north is much preferable to renting at HND.

 

[Max Samuels]

JAL used to fly BNE-NRT prior to their bankruptcy restructure. They would have data from that route.
They'll also have data on JQ11 (OOL-NRT) via their partnership with Jetstar and their codeshare on that flight (JL5082).
With flights to MEL and SYD, JAL returning to BNE would be logical. Which flight they use for HND is debatable though.

ANA may view a 2nd flight to SYD, and improving aircraft use (they currently park the 787 in SYD all day) as better then opening a new route to MEL or BNE.

JAL flew BNE-NRT for decades (at least 2!) so the route is obviously viable. Albeit most passengers get straight on a bus and head to the Gold Coast, I have heard (anecdotes of course), from my friends that live on the GC, and my own lived experience as well, that OOL is a 2nd rate airport, and unless you are heading to the southern part of the GC, the woeful state of the Gold Coast Highway, combined with the tiny and therefore slow customs/immigration set-up, makes travel to Surfers Paradise a much of a "muchness" from either airport. When I stay at Main Beach (northern end of the coast), even for a domestic flight, I seldom choose OOL over BNE as the travel time to BNE (traffic permitting of course) is about only an additional 20 mins, but the greater option of flights and facilities makes it the better choice, in my opinion...

Finally, the city of Brisbane is no longer the tired sad old dump of a country town it was when I was a kid! It now has shops and people, and places to eat and drink. In other words, no longer just a port of entry for the GC. So yes, I think NRT-BNE as a leisure route for JAL is once again viable!

 

[Max Samuels]

Hope VA get the slot as I would give it ago.... and I am keen to try NH.
As a OW devotee I have only flown JL, but the comments from my friends in Japan is that NH has a younger, friendly, "newer" feel to it. And Jl , while excellent, is a bit more rigid and old fashioned. So I suppose that VA-NH is a good fit.

 

[docjames]

WIth ANA having an existing SYD-HND, I’m wondering if VA can get BNE-HND and ANA can add MEL-HND and then they code-share / enter an agreement to jointly market the flights. Would offer strong competition to QF/JAL.

 

[jase05]

WIth ANA having an existing SYD-HND, I’m wondering if VA can get BNE-HND and ANA can add MEL-HND and then they code-share / enter an agreement to jointly market the flights. Would offer strong competition to QF/JAL.

VA has applied for BNE-HND so I think they would be looking to do as you have suggested

 

[clarkkent]

Tourism Australia backs Virgin over Qantas in Tokyo tussle

Australia's peak tourism agency has backed Virgin Australia to open a new route to Japan instead of Qantas.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

"Australia's peak tourism agency has backed Virgin Australia to open a new route to Japan instead of Qantas because it would bring more competition and cheaper fares to the booming travel market between the two countries. "

 

[jakeseven7]

Hope VA get the slot as I would give it ago.... and I am keen to try NH.
As a OW devotee I have only flown JL, but the comments from my friends in Japan is that NH has a younger, friendly, "newer" feel to it. And Jl , while excellent, is a bit more rigid and old fashioned. So I suppose that VA-NH is a good fit.

Gosh I would totally disagree with your friends on NH, I've found them to be very slap dash and average of late. I would much prefer JAL.

I do hope VA gets one slot (if they can execute) and ditches one of their Hong Kong disaster routes!

 

[drron]

We had a good experience with NH F but JAL was better.
Only 1 experience on NH J and really disliked it.Much prefer JAL J.

 

[Himeno]

Tourism Australia backs Virgin over Qantas in Tokyo tussle

Australia's peak tourism agency has backed Virgin Australia to open a new route to Japan instead of Qantas.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

"Australia's peak tourism agency has backed Virgin Australia to open a new route to Japan instead of Qantas because it would bring more competition and cheaper fares to the booming travel market between the two countries. "

BNE airport said that SYD doesn't need another HND flight.

 

[jakeseven7]

BNE airport said that SYD doesn't need another HND flight.

What a surprise

 

[Himeno]

Additional submissions closed yesterday (5 working day window for comment instead of the normal 10).

There has been submissions from;
BNE airport
Tourism Australia
a Japanese national
The Queensland Governments Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development
The ACCC
and Qantas.

The Japanese submission is basically "I like Virgin, give VA slot".
The BNE and Queensland gov submissions are "give slot to VA, we want that lovely $$$"
Tourism Australia says "more Japan flights to Queensland", doesn't really care by who.
ACCC says give 1 slot to each in the name of competition.
Qantas addresses the VA submission, refers to the IASC policy, and reiterates the reality of the situation with HND noting that it is extremely unusual for a HND slots to go to an airline that doesn't already fly to Japan and suggesting that VA's history, recently reported losses, network and available fleet make it unlikely that VA can/will start the route on time and maintain it on an ongoing basis as is required. Suggesting that VA should take up some of that unlimited capacity to NRT. https://www.iasc.gov.au/applications/files/QF_20191002_PUBLIC_VERSION-IASC-Response_to_VA-Japan.pdf

No word yet from ANA or JAL on where in Australia they will fly to with their new HND slots. JAL has reportedly been considering SYD, but will decide by mid Nov.

 

[Isochronous]

I'm a big fan of Mr. Adachi's submission - makes all the key points concisely!

https://www.iasc.gov.au/applications/files/Toru_Adachi_Mr.pdf

 

[jakeseven7]

Victorian government comes out and supports QF bid

Victorian government backs Qantas for Tokyo Haneda slots

"The Victorian government has written to Australia's International Air Services Commission supporting the Qantas application for two slots to Tokyo Haneda.

australianaviation.com.au

 

[Isochronous]

Victorian government comes out and supports QF bid

Victorian government backs Qantas for Tokyo Haneda slots

"The Victorian government has written to Australia's International Air Services Commission supporting the Qantas application for two slots to Tokyo Haneda.

australianaviation.com.au

I bet there were plenty of Qantas executives present at the most recent Victorian ALP fundraising dinner! =P

Although it makes sense that Victoria would support the proposal which is offering MEL-HND immediately.

 

[Mattg]

I bet there were plenty of Qantas executives present at the most recent Victorian ALP fundraising dinner! =P

Although it makes sense that Victoria would support the proposal which is offering MEL-HND immediately.

Who's to say that neither NH nor JL will start MEL-HND flights with their new slots?

 

[jakeseven7]

Who's to say that neither NH nor JL will start MEL-HND flights with their new slots?

Don't care about NH but yes please to JL starting MEL-HND if QF is unable.

 

[JFi]

Perhaps I'm in the minority but I quite like NRT and prefer that over HND. My last flight from HND was on QF in J in June this year so I'm not sure if anything has changed since but I was not allowed to use the fast track security because QF was not listed as one of the airlines able to use it. Tried to show my JAL card with Sapphire but of course, as I was on QF and not JAL flight, was still denied. Unfortunately that day had a long queue so the fast track would've been very useful.

I find the 1000 yen bus to Tokyo or Ginza from NRT also very nice, has Wi-Fi, on time and I get to sleep without worrying I'm going to miss my stop on the train (don't take Skyliner or NEX as I'm too poor lol) so transport not really an issue. I guess I'll reserve judgement until after Sakura Lounge renovations are completed at HND but previously the NRT ones were a lot better in my opinion (and obviously even more so after renovations).

 

[Ausbt]

I find the 1000 yen bus to Tokyo or Ginza from NRT also very nice

Good tip thanks, I'm looking to save a few Yen where I can on an upcoming trip. so I might try that option out.

 

[drron]

Perhaps I'm in the minority but I quite like NRT and prefer that over HND. My last flight from HND was on QF in J in June this year so I'm not sure if anything has changed since but I was not allowed to use the fast track security because QF was not listed as one of the airlines able to use it. Tried to show my JAL card with Sapphire but of course, as I was on QF and not JAL flight, was still denied. Unfortunately that day had a long queue so the fast track would've been very useful.

I find the 1000 yen bus to Tokyo or Ginza from NRT also very nice, has Wi-Fi, on time and I get to sleep without worrying I'm going to miss my stop on the train (don't take Skyliner or NEX as I'm too poor lol) so transport not really an issue. I guess I'll reserve judgement until after Sakura Lounge renovations are completed at HND but previously the NRT ones were a lot better in my opinion (and obviously even more so after renovations).

It is a problem with HND security.We have flown out of there a few times now on JL.There is a large sign up with the cards that are allowed to use fast track.In the pictures there is a BA gold card and a QF plat card.Despite putting our cards up against the pictures still not allowed in.We were told mrsdrron could use it if flying QF and I could use it if flying BA but neither of us if flying JAL.I went back to the JAL desks and they couldn't help.

I did however email management of HND and JAL.The reply from HND management was sorry but that is the way it is.From JAL an acknowledgement that they knew of the problem and have been trying to get HND management to change the rules on fast track security.

PS.I do prefer the JAL Flounge at HND over NRT.