SINGAPORE – Japanese low-cost carrier Peach Aviation is set to start plying the Singapore-Osaka route on Dec 5. The airline is a joint venture between All Nippon Airways (ANA) Group (which owns 77.9 per cent of it), First Eastern Aviation Holdings (7 per cent) and Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (15.1 per cent).
It will be the first Japanese airline in 14 years to launch the direct Singapore-Osaka route. Peach Aviation’s winter schedule, which runs from Dec 5 to March 29, 2025, will have daily flights that depart from Singapore at 2.15am and arrive in Osaka at 9.35am.
Both Zipair and Air Japan, which are also known for being no-frills carriers, currently operate flights only from Singapore to Tokyo. Air Japan is a wholly owned subsidiary of ANA Group, while Zipair is owned by Japan Airlines.
At present, Scoot is the only budget airline to ply the direct Singapore-Osaka route. Checks by The Straits Times found that one-way flights to Osaka in December via Scoot start at $310.40.
The launch of Peach Aviation’s new route is expected to revitalise tourism in Osaka ahead of the World Expo 2025 hosted by the city from April to October 2025. Around 28.2 million visitors are expected.
At a press conference held earlier on Aug 29, Mr Satoru Endo, chief corporate planning officer of Peach Aviation, says bringing the airline to Singapore has long been in the works and was delayed due to the pandemic.
He adds: “The basic business model of a low-cost carrier is operating only short-haul flights, but as we expanded, we wanted to reach more of the South-east Asian market. Based on tourism data, Singapore was a natural choice as our second South-east Asian destination.”
Peach Aviation launched its first international medium-haul flight from Osaka to Bangkok in December 2022. Singapore will be its second medium-haul destination.
The airline will operate the Airbus 321LR single-aisle aircraft, which has a 3-3 seat layout, for its Singapore-Osaka route. The aircraft will be equipped with 218 seats, with seat pitches of between 76cm and 81cm, offering ample legroom.
For all its flights departing from Oct 27, Peach Aviation will revamp its current fare types to offer three new categories: minimum, standard and standard plus, which differ based on various perks including seat selection and baggage allowance. All fare types allow for two carry-on bags, weighing up to 7kg in total.
While the airline does not offer in-flight meals with any fare tier, passengers can purchase snacks, beverages and hot meals on board. The cheapest one-way fare option for the Singapore-Osaka route, which comes under the minimum fare type, starts at $164.20. Tickets go on sale on its website from Aug 29.
Osaka, a major city in Japan well known for its street food and vibrant nightlife, was the top trending destination for Singapore travellers, based on Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2024 report. Skyscanner reported a 1,606 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for flights to Osaka from Singapore.
According to Japan National Tourism Organization, an estimated 3.14 million international travellers visited Japan in June, marking the highest number of monthly foreign visitors to the country ever recorded. It also reported that Japan welcomed around 300,000 Singapore tourists from January to June.
Japan continues to be an attractive holiday destination for Singaporeans all year round – for its food, shopping, sightseeing and favourable exchange rate. As at Aug 28, the rate is 111 yen to S$1.
For fare information, go to str.sg/CYVt
