BORN IN OKINAWA Sharing Okinawa's Charm with the World
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- Sharing Okinawa's Charm with the World
Born and Raised in Okinawa
Japan Transocean Air, established as Nansei Airlines* in 1967, has had a rich 55-year history filled with various dramatic events.
As the Wings of Okinawa, we have earnestly taken on numerous challenges to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the local community. What has characterized all these challenges is the passion, teamwork, and unwavering determination our employees demonstrated to tackle them.
The spirit of JTA, born and raised alongside Okinawa, continues to be carried on today.
*"Nansei" is Japanese for "Southwest".
To be the Wings of Okinawa
Establishing reliable scheduled air routes connecting the islands was a long-desired need in Okinawa. Japan Airlines, which was operating international flights to and from Naha at the time, took the initiative to realize this goal.
Through collaboration with the Ryukyu Government and the U.S. Civil Administration, the way was paved for a private airline company to enter the Ryukyu Islands, leading to the establishment of Nansei Airlines* as a joint venture between Japan Airlines and local Okinawan companies in 1967.
On the inaugural flight day, the skies were said to have been clear, as if to celebrate the dawn of a new era for Okinawa's aviation.
Nansei Airlines, later renamed Japan Transocean Air, established itself as the choice local airline company and has tackled numerous challenges while steadily operating scheduled air routes connecting the islands. The network has since expanded to the Japanese mainland.
*"Nansei" is Japanese for "Southwest".
For Okinawa
Our vision at JTA is to be "the most sought-after full-service carrier most needed in Okinawa".
Specifically, this means maintaining the highest levels of safety while providing world-class service and quality to remain the airline of choice for our customers, even as society becomes more diversified and globalized. It also means building a robust corporate structure to sustain our business operations under any circumstances and contributing to the development of Okinawa and the local community beyond our aviation business.
In order to bring this vision to life, we are resolutely embracing the challenge of creating new value.
Challenges Unique to JTA
To showcase the appeal of Okinawa, we have infused "Okinawan-ness" throughout our services. This allows our passengers to enjoy the Okinawan experience even before reaching the destination, fostering a deeper appreciation for the island.
For example, our in-flight announcements are made in the local "Shimakutuba" dialect, in an effort to introduce the Okinawan language to many. In summer, our crews wear the "Kariyushi" attire, providing a visual representation of Okinawan culture. Our original in-flight magazine "Coralway", in publication since 1985, is filled with diverse perspectives on Okinawa, allowing readers to experience the essence of the islands. The in-flight music and background sounds are curated to also evoke the Okinawan ambiance.
As a company born and raised in Okinawa, we infuse various elements of Okinawan charm into our services, to share the islands’ unique identity with the world.
