Published on Wednesday, October 7, 2020

AirAsia Japan shuts down

AirAsia Group's Japan based unit AirAsia Japan has confirmed it will stay grounded.

As expected for some time, it is ceasing all operations due to the slump in revenue due to the Covid-10 pandemic.

"Travel restrictions and the uncertainties it created have severely curtailed demand for business and leisure travel. These factors have weighed heavily on the company's ability to continue operations," an AirAsia statement said.

"We have cancelled all flights. All affected guests will be contacted via email with further information within the next seven days," it said.

The closure won't affect other flights in and out of Japan operated by other AirAsia foreign units.

Only those operated under the AirAsia Japan DJ flight code are impacted.

AirAsia says flights to Japan operated by its airline affiliates in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines will restart in the future when Japan's border restrictions are lifted and sufficient demand returns.

"I would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our loyal guests and other stakeholders who have supported us. This painful decision to cease operations was decided neither in haste nor taken lightly," said Jun Aida, COO, AirAsia Japan.

Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor