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ZIPAIR ends San Jose-Tokyo route amid ongoing challenges

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ZIPAIR ends San Jose-Tokyo route amid ongoing challenges
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Tom Boon Content Manager | Simple Flying

ZIPAIR, a low-cost subsidiary of Japan Airlines, appears to be ending its San Jose flights. The airline introduced the route from Tokyo Narita in December 2022, but no services are scheduled or bookable after October 24, 2024. Since 1990, seven airlines have attempted long-haul flights from San Jose.

San Jose, located near San Francisco, has faced significant challenges with its long-haul network. In the latest schedule update over the weekend, ZIPAIR signaled that it is pulling out. The airport serves Silicon Valley and more; economic challenges and the slow rebound in business travel have partly caused its woes. This is compounded by a much bigger, busier, and more well-known airport not far away. Airlines can consolidate to cut costs, reduce complexity, and improve performance.

ZIPAIR uses 290-seat Boeing 787-8s and currently serves San Jose six times weekly. Until last week, the plan was to run through the winter with five weekly services. However, the airline's latest schedule filing shows that the last flight will be on October 24. As of July 8 and subject to change, no flight is scheduled or bookable in 2025.

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According to the US Department of Transportation, ZIPAIR carried about 107,000 San Jose passengers last year. It filled approximately 206 out of 290 seats (71%) – a low number. Many seats were unfilled at the start of the year (53-54%, partly because of COVID-19) and in October and December (60%-70%, mainly because of winter). While seat load factors are just one performance measure and should not be considered in isolation, they are nonetheless telling.

San Francisco filled an average of 77% of seats since its introduction in June 2023 while Los Angeles filled 81%. It appears that ZIPAIR will now consolidate in San Francisco.

ZIPAIR was the fourth Asian airline to attempt San Jose flights and the third airline between Tokyo and the city. American's San Jose hub was tried twice: first in the 1990s then again post-Reno Air.

Using US DOT and Cirium data, these long-haul routes have existed since 1990:

- Air China: Shanghai Pudong (2016-2018)

- American: Tokyo Narita (1991-2006)

- All Nippon: Tokyo Narita (2013-2020)

- British Airways: London Heathrow (2016-2020, 2022-2023)

- Hainan: Beijing Capital (2015-2020)

- Lufthansa: Frankfurt (2016-2018)

- ZIPAIR: Tokyo Narita (2022-2024)

Organizations Included in this History
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