Could Florida be the next destination for Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways? Following a foreign policy and trade mission to Tokyo, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that he had met with Japanese aviation bosses to strengthen air connections between the Sunshine State and Japan.
Strengthening ties
In a statement posted by his office on Wednesday, DeSantis expanded on his meeting with some of Japan’s industry leaders, which included a discussion with executives from two of Japan’s largest airlines on launching direct services to Florida.
DeSantis noted the potential commerce opportunities for Japanese businesses and investors, mainly out of popular tourist destinations Miami and Orlando, explaining,
“Florida is excited to be strengthening our relationship with Japan. Having more opportunities to travel between Florida and Japan can boost tourism and entrepreneurship and enhance relationships between businesses in Japan and those located in Florida.”
The Governor of Florida was joined by the state's Secretary of Commerce and CEO of Enterprise Florida Laura DiBella during the trade meeting. DiBella similarly expressed her optimism for the positive economic impact of the strengthening of air links between Florida and Japan, adding,
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of today’s crucial conversations regarding our next steps in building upon our already strong relationship with Japan. Today’s discussions were positive and informative, and I am eager to continue the conversations of bringing direct flights from Japan to the Sunshine State.”
Boosting business
Owed largely to a mix of industry and convenient access to air and sea ports, Florida and other southern states have become keen targets for overseas businesses in recent years. According to data compiled by Enterprise Florida, Japan is the sixth largest foreign investor within the state, employing around 25,000 Floridians.
Japan imports around $636 million of goods from Florida annually, primarily out of the state’s largest airports, Miami (MIA) and Orlando (MCO), and the Port of Jacksonville, one of the largest seaports for Japanese vehicle exports in the United States.
Despite the close industrial links, there are currently no scheduled air connections between Florida and Japan. A flight between Miami and Tokyo (NRT) typically takes around 20 hours, requiring at least one stopover in either Denver (DEN), Montreal (YUL), or Newark (EWR).
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Direct services were briefly floated in late 2022 following a meeting between the Consul General of Japan in Miami, Kazuhiro Nakai, and Miami aviation heads. Speaking to local media, Naikai noted the “highly productive” discussion between him, Miami International Airport Director Ralph Cutié, and Miami-Dade County operations chief Jimmy Morales, confirming several follow-up meetings to further develop plans for improved passenger and cargo air links.
Nakai remained relatively pragmatic about the proposal, noting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Japanese and American businesses and an unclear timeline for a potential launch date. Nakai continued,
“The direct flight could drastically improve the business environment to further trade and investment with Florida, and Latin America. It is a priority agenda for me in Miami.”
What are your thoughts on direct flights between Florida and Japan? What other destinations would you like to see JAL or ANA add? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Miami Today
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Japan Airlines
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- JL/JAL
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Tokyo Haneda Airport, Tokyo Narita Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1951
- Alliance:
- oneworld
- CEO:
- Yuji Akasaka
- Country:
- Japan
-
All Nippon Airways
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- NH/ANA
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Tokyo Haneda Airport, Tokyo Narita Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1952
- Alliance:
- Star Alliance
- CEO:
- Koji Shibata
- Country:
- Japan
- Region:
- Asia
