Maki Shiraki

TOKYO, Reuters – Japan’s airlines have been betting on a tourism recovery after the COVID-19 woes. Many Japanese are now planning to travel overseas and will not be subject to quarantine restrictions.

Japan Airlines Co Ltd (JAL), and ANA Holdings Inc have seen a rise in demand for Hawaii flights during the just ended holiday season. They hope that the increase will fill the gap left by Japan’s ban on foreign tourists arriving to Japan.

Japan lifted all isolation and quarantine requirements from triple-vaccinated Japanese citizens who returned to Japan after March 1. The U.S. travel advisory for infection has been lowered from April 1.

Masahiro, who was traveling with his wife Masahiro and their two children to Hawaii, stated that “the fact you don’t need to quarantine after returning is a huge reason why we chose Hawaii.”

The overall sector is being influenced by the rising demand for Hawaii flights, which has been a popular destination of choice for Japanese tourists. This shows airlines that they are eager to capitalize on the pent-up demand, even though fuel prices are higher and there are more testing requirements.

Kaori Sato (a college student) is about to embark on a weeklong vacation to Hawaii. She said, “If I don’t go when it’s possible, I don’t know when will have another chance.” Although I am still concerned about corona, I have had three vaccination shots so I believe I will be okay.

Book Bookings Jump

According to official statistics, 510,000 Japanese left home last year, down more than 20,000,000 from 2019.

The airlines stated that international bookings rose before the new holiday period, which is known in Japan as Golden Week’. JAL had more than fourfold growth, while ANA increased more than fivefold.

ANA announced that they are aiming to return more passengers to Los Angeles, New York, and other popular destinations for Japanese tourists.

A ban on tourists entering Japan could also be lifted in the near future, as Fumio Kishida, the Japanese Prime Minister, stated on Thursday that any border restrictions would be reviewed by next month.

JAL will resume daily flights from Hawaii starting in June. ANA stated that it would use its biggest plane, the 520-seater Airbus A380 for certain Hawaii routes beginning July.

Customers will be charged a 62,000 yen (or $475) fuel surcharge per ticket.

Angie Matsuo, who is going to Hawaii from Japan, said that her parents had to fork out more than 100,000 yen each to get the PCR test required to leave. This equates to $250 per person. A second test must be completed before you can return home.

Matsuo explained that the testing process is difficult because it costs a lot and takes time. The depreciation in the yen, as well as various price increases are also painful. However, I do not know when I will be able again so I think it is now or never.

($1 = 130.6200 yen)