Company Information

Greetings

Thank you very much for your continued support of Hokkaido Air System (HAC).
My name is Kenichi Hanamasu, and I assumed the post of President of HAC in April 2026.

Since launching operations in 1998, HAC is now entering its 28th year. Operating a fleet of four ATR 42-600 aircraft, we serve nine routes in total: seven intra-Hokkaido routes connecting Sapporo (Okadama) with Hakodate, Kushiro, Memanbetsu, Rishiri, Okushiri, and Nemuro-Nakashibetsu, as well as Hakodate with Okushiri; and two Tohoku routes connecting Sapporo (Okadama) with Misawa and Akita.Through these connections, we have strived to make travel across Hokkaido faster and more accessible. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone whose warm support has made this journey possible.

To showcase the charm of Hokkaido to a broader audience, we actively distribute video content targeted at overseas travelers. Furthermore, to enhance the convenience of Sapporo Okadama Airport—located just about 6 km from downtown Sapporo—we launched the “SMART AIRPORT” initiative this spring. By leveraging digital transformation (DX), we aim to reduce congestion and wait times, delivering a smoother and more comfortable travel experience.

HAC will continue to serve as the “Wings of Hokkaido’s People,” protecting the regional aviation network while creating meaningful connections between people and local communities to drive Hokkaido’s growth. As aviation professionals who support flight operations in northern Japan, we remain fully committed to placing safety and peace of mind as our highest priority.

We sincerely ask for your continued support and patronage.

Representative Director and President

  • Representative Director and President
  • Kenichi Hamanasu
HAC Corporate Philosophy
We prioritize safety above all else and uphold safe operations.
We pursue customer satisfaction through customer-focused thinking and actions.
We foster a corporate culture that is vibrant and encourages innovation.
We strive to maximize corporate value through continuous self-improvement and dedicated efforts.
As the “wings of Hokkaido residents,” we contribute to the development of local communities and society.
HAC Corporate Philosophy

Company Profile

Company Name Hokkaido Air System Co., LTD. (HAC)
Date of Establishment September 30, 1997
Start of Operations March 28, 1998
Headquarters Location Inside Okadama Airport, Okadama-cho, Higashi-ku, Sapporo
Capital 490 million yen
Shareholders Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (57.3%), Hokkaido Government (19.5%), City of Sapporo (13.5%), and 16 other shareholders
As of June 30, 2023
Representative Director and President Kenichi Hamanasu
Number of Employees 107 (as of April 1, 2026)
Business Description 1. Air transportation business
2. Aircraft utilization business
Owned Aircraft Four ATR42-600 aircraft (48 seats)
Introduction Timeline 1st aircraft: January 2020
2nd aircraft: April 2021
3rd aircraft: November 2021
4th aircraft: October 2023

Board Members (as of December 12, 2025)

Representative Director and President Kenichi Hamanasu
  • Chair of the Board of Directors
  • Chair of the Management Meeting
  • Chair of the Safety Promotion Committee
  • Chair of the Operations Council
  • Chair of the Service Improvement Council
Director Yasuo Tomita
  • Chief Safety Officer
  • In charge of the Safety Promotion Department
Director Keiki Chiba
  • Head, Internal and External Communications
  • Chair, Service Improvement Council
  • In charge of the Corporate Communications Department
Non-Executive Director Yuta Kawase General Manager, Domestic Route Marketing, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
Executive Officer Masatoshi Ichinohe
  • Head, Operations Division
  • Chair, Operations Council
Executive Officer Takeshi Koide
  • In charge of General Affairs and Human Resources Planning Department
  • In charge of Corporate Planning Department
Non-Executive Auditor Katsuhiro Momota Manager, Audit & Supervisory Board Office, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

History of HAC

  • September 30, 1997
  • Hokkaido Air System Co., Ltd. (HAC) is established as a joint venture between the Hokkaido Government and Japan Air System Co., Ltd. (JAS).
    Headquarters office opens inside the New Chitose Airport Terminal Building.
  • March 28, 1998
  • First three routes (New Chitose – Hakodate, Hakodate – Asahikawa, Asahikawa – Kushiro)
  • August 1, 2003
  • Launches Sapporo Okadama Airport operations: Sapporo (Okadama) – Hakodate and Sapporo (Okadama) – Kushiro routes.
  • April 1, 2004
  • Joins the JAL Group following the business integration of JAL and JAS.
  • March 30, 2011
  • Leaves the JAL Group in the wake of JAL’s business failure.
  • June 1, 2011
  • Relocates the headquarters office to Sapporo Okadama Airport.
  • July 1, 2013
  • Starts code-sharing with JAL
  • October 23, 2014
  • Rejoins the JAL Group.
  • October 23, 2015
  • Operates an international charter flight (Sapporo (Okadama) – Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk route).
  • October 30, 2016
  • Begins joint flight operations with JAL and J-Air, operating flights as JAL flights.
  • December 18, 2019
  • Receives the first ATR 42-600 aircraft.
  • December 29, 2021
  • Completes the retirement of the SAAB 340B aircraft.
  • March 29, 2023
  • 25th anniversary of HAC’s operations.
  • October 25, 2023
  • Begins operations with a four-aircraft fleet for the first time since HAC’s founding.

HAC’s Future Contributions

Regional Medical Support Utilizing the Sapporo Okadama – Nemuro Nakashibetsu Route

With the launch of the Sapporo Okadama – Nemuro Nakashibetsu route, HAC has introduced the Regional Medical Passport initiative. This program aims to support regional healthcare by strengthening collaboration between local communities, the medical sector, and aviation. The initiative was established to help address the shortage of doctors in the five cities and towns within Nemuro Subprefecture, which has the lowest number of doctors in Hokkaido.

Promoting Exchange Between Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku Using the Sapporo Okadama – Akita Route

With the launch of the Sapporo Okadama – Akita route, HAC has undertaken various initiatives to promote personal and cultural exchanges. This effort aims to maintain and further develop the deep historical ties between Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku, which have shared a strong connection for many years.

Collaboration with Local Communities

In partnership with local governments in our service areas, HAC conducts Furusato Education Charters and aviation classes.

  • ・Rishiri Airport (Rishirifuji Town, Rishiri Town) – Since 2017
  • ・Okushiri Airport (Okushiri Town) – 2018
  • ・Memanbetsu Airport (Ozora Town, Oketo Town, Koshimizu Town, Okhotsk General Subprefectural Bureau) – Since 2021
  • ・Kushiro Airport (Tsurui Village) – Since 2022
Collaboration with Local Communities

HAC Youth Wings Project – Connecting to the Future

HAC provides opportunities for young people who will shape Hokkaido’s future to showcase their talents. (Since 2018)

  • ・2018 – Call for Travel Plans
    As part of the 150th anniversary of Hokkaido’s naming, HAC invited young people to submit travel plans highlighting Hokkaido’s unique value.
  • ・2019 – Hokkaido Dance Performance Arts Festival
    Hosted a dance performance arts festival featuring young performers at the Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater.
  • ・2022 – Hokkaido 15-Second CM
    Collected 15-second video commercials showcasing Hokkaido’s charm from a youth perspective.
HAC Youth Wings Project – Connecting to the Future

Other Regional Contribution Activities

Hospitality training by cabin crew

  • ・2017 – Training for tourism vocational schools in Hokkaido and Rishirifuji Town staff
  • ・2018 – Training for commercial high schools in Hokkaido
  • ・2024 – Training for DAISHINTO Inc.
Other Regional Contribution Activities

Domestic Charter Flight Operations

  • FY 2016
  •  Operates 16 charter flights, including Kagoshima – Sapporo (Okadama) charters.
  • FY 2017
  •  Operates three charter flights, including Rishiri – Rishiri charters.
  • FY 2018
  •  Operates three charter flights, including Rishiri – Rishiri charters.
  • FY 2019
  •  Operates 17 charter flights, including Sapporo (Okadama) – Monbetsu charters.
  • FY 2020
  •  Operates 17 charter flights, including Nakashibetsu – Nakashibetsu charters.
  •  *Included Memorial Charter Overflights of the Northern Territories.
  • FY 2021
  •  Operates 31 charter flights, including Farewell SAAB Scenic Charter Flights.
  • FY 2022
  •  Operates nine charter flights, including Sapporo (Okadama) – Monbetsu charters.
  • FY 2023
  •  Operates 18 charter flights, including Memanbetsu – Memanbetsu charters.
国内チャーター・臨時便運航