Air Premia adds Sapporo route for winter travelers

Air Premia is adding Sapporo to its Japan network this winter, betting on demand for snow, winter festivals and Hokkaido travel with four weekly flights from Incheon. The airline said Monday it will begin operating the Incheon-Sapporo route Dec. 2, making it its second destination in Japan after Narita. Flights will operate Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays using Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with departures from Incheon at 9:40 am and arrivals at New Chitose Airport at 12:20 pm. Return flights will leave Sapporo at 1:45 p.m. and arrive in Incheon at 5:15 p.m., according to Air Premia. Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city and regional center, becomes Air Premia’s gateway to northern Japan as the airline expands beyond its existing connection to the Tokyo area. The new route is scheduled to begin as the winter travel season gets underway, offering access to Sapporo’s winter events and illuminations as well as destinations including Otaru and Biei, the airline said. Air Premia said tickets for the new route will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday through its website and mobile app. A promotio