Japan Transocean Air
Japan Transocean Air Co., Ltd. (日本トランスオーシャン航空株式会社, Nihon Toransuōshan Kōkū Kabushiki-gaisha), or JTA, is an airline based in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.[3] It operates domestic services on behalf of Japan Airlines. Its main base is Naha Airport.[4] From 1967 until 1993, the airline was known as Southwest Air Lines.
| Founded | 20 June 1967 (as Southwest Air Lines) |
|---|---|
| Commenced operations | July 1967 |
| Hubs | Naha Airport |
| Focus cities | New Ishigaki Airport |
| Alliance | Oneworld (affiliate) |
| Fleet size | 14 |
| Destinations | 15 |
| Parent company | Japan Airlines (72.8%) |
| Headquarters | Naha, Okinawa, Japan |
| Key people | Takeshi Ichinosawa (Chairman & President) |
| Employees | 739 (31 March 2017)[2] |
| Website | www |
History edit
The airline was established on 20 June 1967 as Southwest Air Lines (南西航空, Nansei Kōkū), and started operations in July 1967. It changed its name in July 1993. It has 718 employees (at March 2014) and is owned by Japan Airlines (51.1%), Naha Airport Terminal (17%), Okinawa Prefecture (12.9%) and others (19.1%)[4] It flew Convair 240s until new capital from JAL allowed it to upgrade to NAMC YS-11s, and eventually Boeing 737s. JTA occasionally lends aircraft to JAL in the event of equipment failure. JTA also provides maintenance services for JAL Group Boeing 737-400 aircraft. JTA owns 72.9% of Ryukyu Air Commuter. At one time the head office of Southwest Air Lines was at 306-1 Kagamizu in Naha.[5]
Destinations edit
JTA serves the following destinations:[6]
| Island | City | Airport | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyushu | Fukuoka | Fukuoka Airport | ||
| Ryukyu Islands | Ishigaki | Ishigaki Airport | Airport Closed | |
| Ryukyu Islands | Ishigaki | New Ishigaki Airport | Focus city | |
| Kyushu | Kagoshima | Kagoshima Airport | Terminated | |
| Shikoku | Kōchi | Kōchi Airport | Terminated | |
| Honshu | Komatsu | Komatsu Airport | ||
| Ryukyu Islands | Kumejima | Kumejima Airport | ||
| Shikoku | Matsuyama | Matsuyama Airport | Terminated | |
| Ryukyu Islands | Miyakojima | Miyako Airport | ||
| Ryukyu Islands | Miyakojima | Shimojishima Airport | Terminated | [7] |
| Honshu | Nagoya | Chubu Centrair International Airport | ||
| Ryukyu Islands | Naha | Naha Airport | Hub | |
| Honshu | Okayama | Okayama Airport | ||
| Honshu | Osaka | Kansai International Airport | ||
| Honshu | Osaka | Itami Airport | Terminated | |
| Honshu | Tokyo | Haneda Airport | Terminated | |
| Ryukyu Islands | Yonaguni | Yonaguni Airport | Terminated |
Fleet edit
Current fleet edit
As of July 2023[update], Japan Transocean Air operates the following aircraft:[8][needs update]
| Aircraft | In fleet | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 14[9] | — | 20/145[10] | |
| Total | 14 |
Former fleet edit
Japan Transocean Air has previously operated the following aircraft:
Accidents and incidents edit
Since the airline's foundation, there has only been one accident which was under the former Southwest Air Lines brand.
- On 26 August 1982, Southwest Air Lines Flight 611, a Boeing 737-2Q3, registration JA8444, overran the runway at Ishigaki Airport and was destroyed. None of the 138 passengers and crew were killed but some were injured during the emergency evacuation.[14]
References edit
- ^ "JO 7340.2J Contractions - Basic with Change 1 & Change 2" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. 3 June 2019. pp. 3-1-50, 3-2-42, 3-3-44. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
- ^ "Company Profile 2018-01-09 at the Wayback Machine" (Japanese). Japan Transocean Air. Retrieved on May 19, 2009.
- ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-03. p. 97.
- ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. 10 April 1976. p. 958. "Head Office: 306-1 Kagamizu, Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japan."
- ^ "About JTA," Japan Transocean Air
- ^ a b "Shimojijima Airport," Okinawa Prefecture
- ^ "Global Airline Guide 2017 (Part One)". Airliner World (October 2017): 18.
- ^ "Japan Transocean finalizes order for 12 737-800s". The Boeing Company.
- ^ Source: company website http://www.churashima.net/jta/company/fleet.html 2017-08-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "[1]," Airliners.net
- ^ "Boeing: Japan Airlines Group". Retrieved 21 July 2016.
- ^ "[2]," Airliners.net
- ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-2Q3 JA8444 Ishigaki Airport (ISG)". Retrieved 21 July 2016.
External links edit
- Media related to Japan Transocean Air at Wikimedia Commons
- Media related to South West Air Lines (Japan) at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website (in Japanese)