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yesterday

Qantas to Sell 33.32% Stake in Jetstar Japan to Enable Japanese-Led Ownership

A preliminary agreement starts a move to domestic ownership with a rebrand planned.

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Japan Airlines and Qantas, the major shareholders of Jetstar Japan, have flagged a major transition to a new Japanese-based ownership structure.

Overview

  • Qantas and Japan Airlines signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding on February 3, 2026 to transition Jetstar Japan to a Japanese-led structure.
  • The Development Bank of Japan is set to replace Qantas as a shareholder, with Japan Airlines retaining about 50% and Tokyo Century keeping its 16.68% stake.
  • The parties aim to finalize a shareholders’ agreement by July 2026, unveil a new brand in October 2026, and complete the transaction by June 2027, pending approvals.
  • Jetstar Japan will drop the Jetstar name but keep staff, schedules and existing codeshares during the transition, with plans to expand international flying from Narita and grow regional services.
  • Qantas frames the exit as a refocus on Australia and New Zealand operations and fleet renewal after earlier retreats from Jetstar Asia in 2025 and Vietnam’s Jetstar Pacific in 2020.