Hokkaido Air System
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Japanese regional airline serving Hokkaido and selected destinations in northern Japan.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Hokkaido Air System, commonly known as HAC, is a Japanese regional airline focused on scheduled domestic services within Hokkaido and to selected destinations in northern Japan. Its principal operating base is at Okadama Airport in Higashi-ku, Sapporo. The airline provides air links between Hokkaido’s major urban centers and smaller communities whose geographic distance, winter conditions and limited surface-transport alternatives make regular air service strategically important. The company was established in 1997 as a joint venture involving the Hokkaido government, local governments and regional businesses. It began operations in 1998. Its creation reflected a regional-connectivity model in which public-sector shareholders supported air services that were commercially difficult to sustain but important to local communities. HAC initially operated routes linking Chitose, Hakodate, Asahikawa and Kushiro. It subsequently expanded its network to include destinations such as Memanbetsu, Sendai and, later, Misawa. HAC was initially associated with Japan Air System, which was later consolidated into Japan Airlines. The airline’s relationship with JAL changed during the restructuring of the JAL group around fiscal 2010. HAC left the JAL group at the end of fiscal year 2010, in March 2011, while Japan Airlines retained a minority stake. For a period, HAC handled its own ticketing and reservation arrangements after JAL ended those services in September 2011. Local and prefectural governments continued to provide support for routes serving smaller Hokkaido communities. The airline experienced financial pressure in the fiscal year ended March 2013, reporting a loss of 296 million yen and negative equity of 116 million yen. In response, it pursued measures intended to improve network economics and restore cooperation with Japan Airlines, including renewed codesharing and the launch of a Sapporo–Misawa service in July 2013. Discussions about a renewed JAL role culminated in an announced transaction in October 2014 under which HAC was to become a JAL subsidiary, with JAL and the Hokkaido government sharing responsibility for addressing the airline’s excess debt. By June 30, 2023, Japan Airlines held 57.3% of HAC, while Hokkaido Prefecture held 19.5%, Sapporo City held 13.5% and 16 other shareholders collectively held 9.7%. HAC’s business is centered on regional passenger transportation rather than long-haul or international aviation. Its brand proposition is based on maintaining dependable links across Hokkaido, supporting regional mobility and complementing the wider Japan Airlines network. In October 2016, HAC consolidated flight numbers and reservation systems with the JAL group, strengthening operational and commercial integration. The airline remains an active regional carrier, with its role shaped by the needs of Hokkaido’s dispersed population, seasonal travel patterns and challenging geography.
History
Hokkaido Air System was established in 1997 as a regional aviation venture backed by the Hokkaido government, local municipalities and businesses. The objective was to provide scheduled air links within Hokkaido, where long distances, difficult winter weather and dispersed communities create a continuing need for regional air transport. The company began flying in 1998 and initially connected Chitose, Hakodate, Asahikawa and Kushiro. The network developed progressively. Chitose–Kushiro and Hakodate–Memanbetsu services were added in 1999, followed by Hakodate–Sendai in 2001. In 2003, the airline began operating from Okadama Airport in Sapporo, including services to Hakodate and Kushiro. Okadama subsequently became the airline’s principal base. HAC also served Monbetsu from Chitose and Okadama during 2005 and 2006. When Air Hokkaido ceased operations on March 31, 2006, HAC took over the Hakodate–Okushiri route the following day. HAC’s early corporate history was connected to Japan Air System, which later became part of the Japan Airlines structure. During JAL’s restructuring, HAC left the group at the end of fiscal year 2010, in March 2011. Japan Airlines retained a 14% holding and became the second-largest shareholder after the Hokkaido prefectural government. JAL stopped providing HAC’s ticket-handling and reservation services from September 1, 2011, requiring the regional airline to operate with greater commercial independence. At the same time, prefectural and local governments continued subsidizing services to smaller Hokkaido cities, reflecting the public-service dimension of HAC’s network. The airline’s financial position became a significant issue in the fiscal year ending March 2013. HAC reported a loss of 296 million yen and negative equity of 116 million yen. Its response included attempts to improve route performance, resume codesharing with Japan Airlines and add new traffic opportunities. A Sapporo–Misawa service began in July 2013. In the same period, Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers in Hokkaido were reported to have encouraged JAL to take HAC back into its group. Negotiations between JAL and the Hokkaido government reportedly included an arrangement under which the parties would each address half of HAC’s excess debt, with the prefectural government potentially cancelling part of a loan claim. The renewed relationship was announced in October 2014. The arrangement returned HAC to a closer JAL-affiliated structure and supported the airline’s financial rehabilitation. In October 2016, HAC consolidated its flight numbers and reservation system with the JAL group, making the connection more visible and practical for customers and strengthening coordination with JAL’s domestic network. As of June 30, 2023, Japan Airlines held 57.3% of Hokkaido Air System. Hokkaido Prefecture held 19.5%, Sapporo City held 13.5% and 16 other shareholders collectively held 9.7%. HAC continues to operate as a regional airline based at Okadama Airport, serving Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture. Its importance is measured not only by commercial passenger volume but also by its contribution to regional access and the continuity of air links to communities that may have fewer practical transport options.
- 2023
Ownership structure documented
[1]As of June 30, Japan Airlines held 57.3%, Hokkaido Prefecture 19.5%, Sapporo City 13.5% and 16 other shareholders 9.7%.
- 2016
Systems consolidated with the JAL group
[1]HAC consolidated flight numbers and reservations with the Japan Airlines group.
- 2014
Renewed Japan Airlines affiliation announced
[1]A transaction intended to make HAC a Japan Airlines subsidiary was announced, alongside an arrangement to address the airline’s excess debt.
- 2013
Financial recovery measures and Misawa service
[1]After reporting a loss and negative equity for the fiscal year ending March 2013, HAC resumed JAL codesharing and launched Sapporo–Misawa service in July.
- 2011
Departure from the JAL group
[1]HAC left the Japan Airlines group at the end of fiscal year 2010, while JAL retained a minority stake. JAL later ended ticket-handling and reservation services for HAC.
- 2006
Okushiri route transferred from Air Hokkaido
[1]After Air Hokkaido ceased operations on March 31, HAC took over the Hakodate–Okushiri route on April 1.
- 2003
Okadama operations commence
[1]HAC began operating from Okadama Airport with services to Hakodate and Kushiro.
- 2001
Service to Sendai begins
[1]The airline expanded beyond Hokkaido with a Hakodate–Sendai route.
- 1999
Network expands to Kushiro and Memanbetsu
[1]HAC added Chitose–Kushiro and Hakodate–Memanbetsu services.
- 1998
Scheduled operations begin
[1]The airline began operations with routes connecting key Hokkaido cities including Chitose, Hakodate, Asahikawa and Kushiro.
Products and positioning
A publicly supported, Japan Airlines-affiliated regional carrier focused on essential and practical air connectivity across Hokkaido and northern Japan.
Air transportation · 1998
Scheduled regional passenger services
HAC’s core offering is scheduled domestic passenger transportation across Hokkaido and to selected destinations in northern Japan. The network is designed to connect Hokkaido’s main cities with smaller communities and to provide practical alternatives where road and rail journeys are long or affected by geography and weather. Services have included routes involving Okadama, Hakodate, Kushiro, Asahikawa, Memanbetsu, Okushiri, Sendai and Misawa.
Codeshare and network connectivity · 2013
Japan Airlines-connected regional flights
Through renewed codesharing and later integration of flight numbers and reservation systems, HAC’s regional services became more closely connected to the Japan Airlines domestic network. This arrangement gives the airline a broader commercial and distribution relationship than an entirely independent local carrier, while retaining its focus on short-haul regional operations.
Brand decisions
2016
Reservation and flight-number integrationStrategyBackground
After the renewed JAL affiliation, HAC needed closer operational and commercial coordination with its parent group.
Action taken
HAC consolidated its flight numbers and reservation system with the Japan Airlines group.
Aftermath
The change simplified integration with JAL’s domestic distribution and operating network.
2014
Return to Japan Airlines subsidiary structureM&ABackground
Following financial pressure and political interest in preserving regional air services, Japan Airlines and the Hokkaido government negotiated a renewed corporate relationship.
Action taken
A transaction was announced under which HAC would become a Japan Airlines subsidiary. Japan Airlines and the Hokkaido government were expected to share responsibility for addressing HAC’s excess debt.
Aftermath
The transaction restored HAC to a closer JAL group relationship and was followed by further integration of systems and network arrangements.
2013
Financial recovery and network improvement programStrategyBackground
HAC reported a 296 million yen loss and negative equity of 116 million yen for the fiscal year ending in March 2013. The airline also faced the challenge of maintaining publicly important routes with limited commercial scale.
Action taken
The airline pursued performance improvements, resumed codesharing with Japan Airlines and started a Sapporo–Misawa service in July 2013.
Aftermath
The measures accompanied renewed discussions about Japan Airlines taking a stronger ownership role in HAC.
Net loss and negative equity. 296 million yen loss; 116 million yen negative equity (Fiscal year ending March 2013)
Sources1 sources
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