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Aug. 1, 2012 - Updated 06:06 UTC (15:06 JST) | NHK News, Japan

Low-cost carrier AirAsia Japan has inaugurated flights from Narita Airport near Tokyo.

The airline, based in Narita, was jointly set up by Japan's All Nippon Airways and AirAsia, a
budget carrier in Malaysia.

At an inaugural ceremony held at the airport's No. 2 terminal on Wednesday, AirAsia Japan
president Kazuyuki Iwakata said the era where people use airplanes like buses is now being
realized. He added that he hopes more people will travel by air.

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The airport was crowded with passengers for the carrier's flights linking Narita and Sapporo
in northern Japan or Fukuoka in southwestern Japan, both inaugurated on the day.

A man from Tokyo said he bought a return ticket between Narita and Sapporo for about 230
dollars -- less than half the price of major airlines.

The first flight to Fukuoka was nearly 70 percent full and departed shortly after 7:20 AM.

The carrier will start flights between Narita and Naha in Japan's southernmost prefecture of
Okinawa on Friday. It also plans to start international flights in October, linking Narita and
South Korea.

AirAsia Japan is the 2nd low-cost carrier to be based in Narita, following Jetstar Japan,
whose investors include Japan Airlines.