Japanese regional carriers Airdo Co. and Solaseed Air Inc. merged operations Monday to chop prices and use sources successfully amid a drop in journey demand brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Airdo, primarily based in Sapporo, on the northernmost predominant island of Hokkaido, and Solaseed Air, primarily based in Miyazaki, within the southwestern area of Kyushu, will retain their present names and routes beneath a brand new holding firm, RegionalPlus Wings Corp.
Airdo Co. President Susumu Kusano (heart left) and Solaseed Air Inc. President Kosuke Takahashi (heart proper) pose for photographs throughout a ceremony at Tokyo’s Haneda airport on October three 2022, when the 2 Japanese regional airways merged their operations and launched a brand new holding firm referred to as RegionalPlus Wings Corp. (Kyodo)
With the merger, the struggling airways goal to chop prices by collectively sustaining plane and buying provides, they mentioned.
Solaseed chairman Kosuke Takahashi was appointed chairman of the holding firm, whereas Airdo chairman Susumu Kusano took over as chairman.
Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito welcomed the transfer, telling a information convention: “I hope it should assist preserve and additional enhance your airways’ companies.”
The 2 corporations introduced the merger plan in Could 2021 as their operations have been affected by diminished demand amid the pandemic.
Airdo and Solaseed suffered internet losses within the enterprise yr ending March for the second yr in a row as passenger numbers fell attributable to COVID-19 restrictions and strict government-imposed border controls.
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