Solaseed Air marks 15th Anniversary in 2017 with the world's only open check-in lounge

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Updated 31/10/20

Solaseed Air, the Japanese low-cost airline headquartered in Miyazaki, marks 15th Anniversary of foundation in 2017. It was formed in 1997 as Pan Asia Airlines, adopted the name Skynet Asia Airways in August 1998 and started operations in July 2002. In July 2011, it changed its commercial identity to the current name of Solaseed Air. 

Solaseed Air operates scheduled flights between Haneda and cities in Kyushu such as Kumamoto and Nasagaki. It also operates flights to Naha. It is a subsidiary of All Nippon Airways which has a 17.03 per cent stake in the airline. The balance investment are taken up by Development Bank of Japan with a 22.41 per cent stake and Miyasaki Kotsu Co. Ltd with the stake of 17.03 per cent.

To celebrate 15th Anniversary, Solaseed Air expanded its check-in corner at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. It now has the world's only open public check-in lounge in an airport. The lounge not only recounts the history of Solaseed Air, it also has a showcase of its aircraft models, marketing and sales information in the form of complimentary copies of Solaseed Air Inflight Magazine Solatane, Timetables and travel packages. A TV screen broadcasts the history of Solaseed Air daily.

Solaseed Air marks 15th Anniversary in 2017. It is the only low-cost airline in the world to operate the open check-in lounge. Access to the lounge is free. The lounge provides a comprehensive range of Solaseed Air information in Haneda, indeed a factor which enables Haneda Airport to clinch a Skytrax Five-Star Airport Award in 2017. In front of the lounge there is a neat corner of wheelchairs for disabled passengers' use. It shows how considerate Solaseed Air's frontline staff are towards the disadvantaged people in Japan.

It is easy to see the Solaseed Air jets departing and arriving in Haneda at the observation deck.

Solaseed Air is headquartered in Miyazaki, Japan with a hub in Haneda. It flies from Haneda to Kobe, Miyazaki, Nagoya Chubu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Oita, Ishigaki and Naha.