Japan Airlines Corp. will soon launch a nonstop service between Logan International Airport (Boston) and Tokyo. The new route could significantly increase travel and business opportunities in Japan and other parts of Asia.
The new service will only start April 22, 2012 – a long time to wait, still good news for business travelers in Boston, who previously had to connect through San Francisco or Chicago.
“Not having to fly through Chicago or the West Coast saves you one full business day one way or the other,” Jon DiVincenzo, executive vice president of the bioscience business unit at EMD Millipore, told Boston.com.
Japan Airlines Corp. seeks to strengthen its trans-Pacific business with American Airlines under the “open skies” liberalization of airline services between the U.S. and Japan. For the new line, Japan Airlines will be using Boeing’s new 787-8 aircrafts. American Airlines will codeshare on this flight, while reservations and ticket sales will also be available through both airlines, the Japanese airline said.
The new flight saves six hours of trouble, which in business terms means money. Many Boston based companies send their staff frequently to Tokyo, and other destinations in Japan and Asia, for business purposes.
“By opening up nonstop service, it makes it easier and more likely for other business to be generated,”said Daniel Kasper, a Boston aviation consultant at the economic litigation firm Compass Lexecon, cited by Boston.com. “That builds up business ties, cross-investments — in other words, perhaps leading to some increase in Japanese investments in companies in Massachusetts or in New England, and perhaps more joint ventures between Boston investors and firms in Japan.”
And while the flight is a victory for business travel, it is also good news for leisure travelers, who can benefit from nonstop service to Asia too. Together, business and leisure travel to Japan could bring a $16 million boost to the local economy in Boston.