Qantas Group, Japan Airlines, and Mitsubishi will partner to launch a new low-cost carrier, Jetstar Japan, by the end of 2012.

The new carrier will initially operate three Airbus A320 aircraft, but this will grow to 24 'within a few years', Australia-based Jetstar Group said.

Jetstar added that the "total capitalization commitment" for the new carrier is ¥12 billion ($156 million).

The new carrier expects to fly from Tokyo's Narita and Osaka's Kansai International, which are currently served by Jetstar.

Other bases under consideration are Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

"Jetstar Japan means people will be able to travel our network into Japan, and then continue on to the famous ski fields or cultural centres," Jetstar's CEO, Bruce Buchanan said.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news