JAL to Begin Charter Service to Marshalls in February

Japan Airlines new charter air service to Majuro will begin with a direct flight from Tokyo to Majuro on February 11, 2007. The Boeing 767-300, with 200 passengers, will arrive at 6:00 p.m.

Koji Mochizuki, a JAL Manager, said the Japanese tourists who are expected to be mostly scuba divers would return to Tokyo departing Majuro four days later, said Koji Mochizuki, a JAL International Manager.

Last week, Mochizuki and the visiting team members met with Republic of the Marshall Islands government officials to discuss issues which still remain including airport handling facilities, translation, and ground transportation. The team also met with the Executive Council of the Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce.

Dave Carlstrom of Aviation Consulting, in Seattle, Washington, and Burney Hall, the owner of Fairbanks, Alaska, Airport ground handling company, accompanied Mochizuki on the visit. Due to their experience with JAL flights at Fairbanks, Alaska, they were asked by the airline to assist with the JAL/Majuro project.

Marshall Islands officials and business people expect the Japan-Marshalls flight to help kick-start the young tourism industry. More hotel facilities and development on some of the outer islands are expected to follow.

Satoshi Yoshii, a local tourism entrepenuer, who has worked to encourage the JAL flights, has been representing the Marshall Islands Tourism Authority in Dive and Tourist Shows in Japan. MIVA conducted a survey during one of the shows. Eighty-eight percent of the surveyed were divers, and eight-four percent had heard about the Marshall Islands and imagine it to have beautiful corals and pristine waters. According to MIVA, when asked about JAL and the possibility of direct flights into the RMI, 99 out of 144 participants replied that they would visit the RMI within the year while 42 said that they will visit in the next 1-2 years.

Although JAL's service to the Marshalls was expected to begin 2006, the Majuro airport repaying job, lack of equipment required for loading cargo and passengers, and other logistical concerns have delayed the charter service.

--Aenet Rowa, Yokwe Online, October 11, 2006