Japanese budget airline to launch service between Tokyo, Honolulu

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Japan Airlines has a new option for serving Hawaii: discount flights.

JAL’s new discount carrier, ZIPAIR, will launch service on Dec. 16 between Tokyo — Narita International Airport — and Honolulu.

It plans to operate 16 roundtrip flights through the end of January 2021.

Fares start at $180 for one-way flights.

ZIPAIR, which is staffed by JAL employees, began passenger service in October with Tokyo to Seoul and Bangkok.

It comes more than a month after Hawaii expanded its pre-travel testing program to Japan, allowing travelers to forgo a two-week quarantine if they provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken with a trusted testing provider no more than 72 hours before departure.

Travel restrictions, however, remain in place in Japan for certain visitors, including U.S. citizens.

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