Qantas will sell its entire stake in Jetstar Japan, clearing the way for the low cost carrier to move to Japanese led ownership and adopt a new brand.
The Qantas Group and Japan Airlines have signed a binding agreement covering the Australian carrier’s exit from the joint venture. The deal remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be completed by June 2027.
Under the agreement, Jetstar Japan will buy back Qantas’s 33.32 per cent shareholding for ¥8.2 billion. The Development Bank of Japan will then join the airline as a new investor, while Japan Airlines and Tokyo Century Corporation will retain their existing holdings.
Once the transaction is complete, Jetstar Japan will stop using the Jetstar name and introduce a new brand and identity. Details of the replacement brand have not yet been announced.
The change does not mean the airline is closing. Jetstar Japan will continue operating under its new ownership structure, with the business becoming led by Japanese capital.
Qantas said the sale would allow it to redirect investment towards its Qantas and Jetstar operations in Australia and on international routes. The group expects the transaction to produce an estimated gain of approximately A$115 million, predominantly during the 2027 financial year.
There will be no impact on Qantas or Jetstar services between Australia and Japan. Codeshare arrangements between Qantas and Japan Airlines will also remain in place.
Jetstar Japan began domestic operations in July 2012 and added international services in February 2015. The airline currently serves 15 destinations within Japan and four overseas markets.
The binding agreement follows a memorandum of understanding announced by Qantas and Japan Airlines in February 2026. Until the transaction is completed, Qantas will continue to recognise its share of Jetstar Japan’s profits or losses.
