Super cheap！ AirAsia’s inaugural flight to Tokyo for just 888 NTD one-way

▲ AirAsia announces Taipei (Taoyuan) to Tokyo (Narita) one-way flights for just 888 New Taiwan Dollars. (Photo / Reporter Chen Tzu-yin)

Reporter Chen Tzu-yin / Taipei reporting

Taipei (Taoyuan) to Tokyo (Narita) one-way for just 888 New Taiwan Dollars? You heard that right. Today (the 10th), a low-cost airline announced this unprecedented price at a press conference, and also revealed that tickets will go on sale at 5:00 PM today. Including taxes, the price is still as low as 1188 NTD, instantly sparking a wave of discussion.

In response to the rapidly growing travel trend of Taiwanese visitors to Japan, AirAsia (AirAsia) announced the launch of the Taipei–Tokyo route starting July 3, celebrating the inaugural flight with an ultra-value one-way fare of 888 NTD. AirAsia Executive Chairman and CEO Yoshinori Odagiri said: “Whether it’s Japanese travelers visiting Taiwan or Taiwanese traveling to Japan, the numbers have been increasing year by year, and the Taipei Taoyuan to Tokyo Narita route is one that many travelers are eagerly anticipating. Beyond the price, we will never compromise on safety—we provide service with the same safety standards as any other airline.”

To celebrate the Taipei–Tokyo route, from 5:00 PM on Friday, May 10, 2013, to 10:59 PM on Monday, May 13, 2013, one-way tickets are on sale with a base fare (excluding tax) as low as 888 NTD, and including tax from 1188 NTD (no additional fuel surcharge applied). The travel period is from Wednesday, July 3, 2013, to Saturday, October 26, 2013, excluding August 9 to 19 and September 28 to October 4.

Regarding the intense competition among low-cost airlines between Taiwan and Japan, Yoshinori Odagiri further stated in an interview that he believes the brand’s strengths lie in: the group's brand power, a youthful and vibrant image, low prices, and the ability to purchase tickets anytime, anywhere.