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San Diego nabs first Asia flight before Phoenix
San Diego has beaten Phoenix to the punch in getting a direct flight to Asia.
Japan Airlines will add nonstop service between Tokyo and San Diego International Airport in December.
It is San Diego’s first direct Asian destination and JAL can connect travelers to China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and other Asian markets from Tokyo.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport does not have any direct service to Asia, and only one direct flight to Europe. That is a nonstop to London on British Airways.
Deputy airport director Deborah Ostreicher said Sky Harbor executives are talking to Japan Airlines and other Asian airlines about flights to Phoenix.
“In fact, I just returned from a visit to JAL and other Asian carriers. There is potential there, but currently no news to announce,” Ostreicher said. Former Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon worked to get flights from the Middle East to Phoenix during his tenure in office, but no such flight came to fruition.
Arizona has long had trade and tourism ties to Asia via the semiconductor sector, copper mining and foreign tourists visiting the Grand Canyon. Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish’s rookie season with the Texas Rangers also drew Japanese tourists and media to Surprise earlier this year for spring training.
San Diego and Los Angeles are also big tourist destinations for Asian travelers coming to the U.S.
China is the state’s third-largest export market. Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are also big Arizona trading partners.
Phoenix is, however, at a disadvantage versus some large western U.S. markets when it comes to airline flights to Asia.
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Las Vegas all have direct flights to Asia.
Now, San Diego joins that group. The city’s airport is also known as Lindbergh Field.
Mike Sunnucks writes about politics, law, airlines, sports business and the economy.
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