Jetstar said it plans to begin operations on July 3 rather than at the end of 2012 as previously understood.

Its network will be served initially with a fleet of three new A320 aircraft, which is expected to grow to 20 in the coming years, the airline said.

Bruce Buchanan, CEO of the Jetstar Group, said: “Serving the Japanese customer for the past five years with international services gives us a clear advantage in rolling out a domestic network.

“The Jetstar brand is a known quantity in this market and that awareness is helping us put together a strong, hard-working local team.”

The Jetstar Group – which is owned by a partnership of the Qantas Group, Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Corporation – includes the brands Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Pacific and now Jetstar Japan.

As a result, the Japanese domestic network will be supported by almost 60 other destinations, including Singapore, China, Vietnam and Australia.

Jetstar Japan’s CEO Miyuki Suzuki added: “In a country that’s never had a true low fares domestic network, the ability to travel for an average of 50% less will open up new places and opportunities.

“The great response we’ve had from potential crew and the positive discussions we’re having with local airports has allowed us to bring our first flight forward by several months.”