Kanematsu : Japan Airlines joined the partnership of "Oita Prefecture x Sierra Space x Kanematsu" considering Dream Chaser® utilization at Oita Airport

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December 12, 2022

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
Oita Prefecture
Sierra Space Corporation
Kanematsu Corporation

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) has joined the existing partnership of "Oita Prefecture x Sierra Space x Kanematsu" to consider Dream Chaser® utilization at Spaceport Oita.

In this partnership, all parties will investigate Oita Airport in Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture, Japan, as a potential landing site in Asia for Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spaceplane.

JAL will further promote the activities of this partnership by leveraging the JAL Group's expertise in handling operations at Oita Airport, where JAL domestic flights are already in service, as well as other JAL Group expertise from the perspective of air transportation, which has been cultivated over many years.

With the announcement, all parties work to develop new business opportunities in Japan for Sierra Space's Dream Chaser that will connect the Low Earth Orbit Destinations to the Earth, and will perform specific studies such as safety evaluation, environmental assessment, and potential economic impact.

※ About Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
For more than 70 years since its establishment in 1951, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) has built a domestic and international air transportation network as a social infrastructure and lifeline. A member of the oneworld® alliance, JAL connects more than 411 airports in 60 countries and regions together with its codeshare partners, with a modern fleet of more than 230 aircraft. JAL is proud to have been named a SKYTRAX 5-Star airline for 2018 and 2019, including receiving the prestigious award for 'Best Economy Class in the World'; JAL is also recognized as the only 5-time World No. 1 in on-time arrival performance among major international airlines. An airline with a rich history and a reputation for defining the essence of traditional Japanese hospitality, JAL is committed to providing guests with the highest levels of flight safety and supreme quality in every aspect of its service. JAL aspires to provide an elevated travel experience that heightens your senses and aims to become the most preferred airline in the world.
http://www.jal.com/en/

※ About Oita Prefecture (Activities on Oita Spaceport)
Since April 2020, Oita Prefecture (Oita) is working with Virgin Orbit, California based satellite launch company, to realize the project that is launching the satellites from Oita Airport by utilizing a modified aircraft. In February 2022, Oita signed the partnership with Sierra Space Corporation and Kanematsu Corporation, to consider Dream Chaser utilization in Oita Airport. With those strong partnerships, Oita aims to create the first horizontal spaceport in Asia. (Oita is selected as a "Municipality for Promoting Creation of Space Business" by Cabinet Office and METI, Government of Japan in 2020.)

※ About Sierra Space Corporation
Sierra Space Corporation (Sierra Space) is a space leading company in the US, who develops and operates Dream Chaser spaceplane with its first cargo mission to ISS scheduled in 2023. Sierra Space also develops the crew version Dream Chaser targeting the operation in 2026. In addition, Sierra Space is now also developing the commercial space station so called "Orbital Reef" as an equal partner with Blue Origin.

※ About Kanematsu Corporation
Since its establishment in 1889, Kanematsu Corporation (Kanematsu) has been providing various products and services in a wide range of business areas including Motor Vehicles & Aerospace, Electronics and Devices, Foods, Meat & Grain, and Steel, Materials & Plants. Kanematsu has been involved in the space business for more than 20 years. In September 2021, Kanematsu partnered with Sierra Space, a U.S. company, to promote the business development of Dream Chaser and commercial space station, leveraging the experience and network of a trading company.

＜Contacts＞

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., Public Relations, TEL [phone]

Oita Prefecture TEL: [phone]

Sierra Space: Alex Walker [e-mail]

Kanematsu Corporation, Public & Investor Relations Section TEL: [phone]
https://www.kanematsu.co.jp/en/inquiry/