Japan Airlines Celebrates 5th Anniversary of Tokyo -Bangalore Route. Milestone Marks Strengthening Ties Between Japan and Southern India

Commemorative gift for the passengers on 5th anniversary flight. A folding fan designed with Katsushika Hokusai’s woodblock print “Gaifu Kaisei” depicting Mt. Fuji in red was prepared. It was handed in a handcrafted bag made from repurposed Jeppesen chart (aviation charts)

Bangalore & Tokyo April 13, 2025

Japan Airlines (JAL) commemorated the 5th anniversary of its direct flight service between Tokyo/Narita and Bangalore, marking a significant milestone in connectivity between Japan and India’s southern tech hub.

Launched under extraordinary circumstances on April 11, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the service began as a special repatriation flight for Japanese nationals. The inaugural journey operated as a ferry flight from Tokyo to Bangalore, with passengers boarding on the return leg to Japan. Despite the global travel disruptions, this route symbolized hope, resilience, and a commitment to long-term connectivity.

Since then, the route has evolved considerably. It became a regular service in 2022, initially operating twice a week. With increasing demand, JAL gradually expanded operations—three times weekly during the 2022 winter schedule, five times in the 2024 winter schedule, and from summer 2025, now operating daily with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The aircraft features 30 business class and 156 economy class seats, offering a comfortable, premium travel experience for all passengers.

R. Madhu Sudan, Deputy Chief of Mission at the flag-off ceremony marking the 5th anniversary of Japan Airlines’ direct Tokyo–Bengaluru flight at Narita Airport, joined by senior representatives from JAL, Narita Airport, MLIT, and the Japan-India Association

To mark the 5th anniversary, JAL hosted celebratory events at Narita International Airport. At Narita, passengers aboard the commemorative flight JL735 received a special gift: a folding fan adorned with “Gaifu Kaisei”, Katsushika Hokusai’s famed red Mt. Fuji woodblock print. The elegant fans were presented in handmade bags crafted from repurposed Jeppesen aviation charts. The lounge experience was also elevated with a curated tasting of Indian wines, including the Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection, offered exclusively for the occasion.

A Symbol of Innovation and Exchange

The Tokyo - Bangalore service has become a crucial corridor for professionals in the IT, biotech, and manufacturing sectors. Bangalore is home to a growing number of Japanese businesses and expatriates, furthering the demand for a direct, reliable connection. As JAL’s second Indian route after Tokyo–Delhi, it was also the first to link Japan with southern India, filling a critical gap in regional connectivity.

Kenichiro Naito, Deputy General Manager of JAL’s Route Business Headquarters at celebratory events at Narita International Airport

“Though it was under challenging circumstances with the pandemic, we were able to provide a smooth and safe mode of transportation for customers traveling to southern India,” said Kenichiro Naito, Deputy General Manager of JAL’s Route Business Headquarters. “We will continue to strive to promote exchanges between India, Japan, and North America.”

Bangalore - Tokyo route has been a bridge between innovation hubs in both countries. JAL has played an important part in fostering economic cooperation and cultural exchange over the past five years, and many more years to come.

Looking Ahead

With travel demand rising and India–Japan relations deepening, Japan Airlines plans to continue enhancing its services. The transition to daily operations in 2025 underlines the airline's confidence in this route’s future. As a vital link not only between Asia’s leading economies but also connecting passengers onward to North America, the Tokyo–Bangalore flight stands poised for even greater significance in the years to come.