Jetstar Japan has announced it will take to the skies earlier than expected. The new budget airline will launch on July 3, 2012, with services to five major Japanese cities.

Jetstar Japan will be based at Narita International Airport near Tokyo. The airline’s initial destinations will be Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. Fares and schedules will be announced soon.

Jetstar Japan CEO Miyuki Suzuki said the carrier was preparing for strong customer demand: “In a country that’s never had a true low fares domestic network, the ability to travel for an average of 50 per cent less will open up new places and opportunities.”

Jetstar Japan, a new budget airline, has announced it will commence domestic flights on July 3, 2012. From its base at Tokyo Narita Airport, the new airline will fly to Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

This launch date comes ahead of schedule, giving Jetstar Japan an advantage over other up-coming Japanese budget airlines like AirAsia Japan.

Jetstar Japan also announced that “”The launch network of Tokyo (Narita), Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa will be serviced by an initial fleet of three new A320 aircraft” and “”Fares and schedules will be announced soon”.