Japanese start-up Skymark Airlines has raised its fares, relaxing a price war which has hit the yields of all three major Japanese airlines on two of Japan's highest-density routes. Skymark's announced 17% increase in its Tokyo-Fukuoka one-way fare was matched by Japan Airlines, with All Nippon Airways and Japan Air System expected to follow suit. The fare increase came days after Skymark announced new Boeing 767-300ERservices from Osaka to Fukuoka and Sapporo, triggering more discounts from the majors. Ex-Skymark president Junichi Ogawara plans to found a new domestic airline, Fair Link, to begin services in July next year. The carrier, based at Sendai, is expected to operate 50-seat jets.
Source: Flight International