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Japan Transocean Air (JTA), a JAL Group subsidiary, has launched a new product to make exploring Japan easier and more affordable. The “OKINAWA Island Pass”, can be used on any JTA operated flights connecting 5 domestic routes within Okinawa prefecture. The new pass makes travelling around the stunning subtropical islands of Okinawa an inexpensive and convenient option for tourists to the area.

On 5th January 2010, JAL launched flights from Narita International Airport in Tokyo to Okinawa’s Naha Airport, allowing smoother transfers to the popular tourist destination from outside Japan. Previously JAL travellers arriving at Narita Airport and then had to transfer to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, which is 75 minutes away, for JAL flights to Okinawa. The new Narita JAL services to Okinawa make for much smoother and faster connections.

OKINAWA Island Pass
Eligible passengers: Overseas residents visiting Japan
Applicable Routes: Flights from Naha to Ishigaki, Miyako or Kumejima. Or from Ishigaki to Miyako or Yonaguni
Applicable Flights: JTA operated flights only
Applicable dates: 6th January – 11th March 2010 (inclusive)
Fare: JPY 9,000 per sector
Ticket conditions : Minimum purchase of 2 sectors, maximum purchase of 5 and tickets must be purchased before arriving in Japan.

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Following after All Nippon Airways (ANA) shuttling its first class passengers arriving at Narita with a complimentary luxury helicopter ride from the Airport to central Tokyo, Lufthansa (LH) is introducing a similiar service for its premium passengers too, that commenced today and will end on 31 March.

Passengers who bought a first class ticket on flight LH715 and LH714, Narita to Munich as well as for flight LH710, the Frankfurt to Narita sector, will be entitled a free helicopter transfer, whether departing for Narita or after arriving into Narita airport.

Passengers will need to make a prior reservation. For transfer to central Tokyo, shortly after arriving at Narita airport, passengers will be taken by a hired car to the nearby Sakura heliport which is about 15 minutes drive away, and will be riding the 4-seater/5-seater helicopter with other passengers departing at a scheduled time. The rotary-wing ride is only a short 15 minute to get to Ark Hills Heliport in Akasaka, central Tokyo making the entire transfer time from Narita to central Tokyo in just 30 minutes.

Both Lufthansa and ANA are members of the Star Alliances, it has raised the standard of its ground services.