ZIPAIR has once again begun nonstop passenger service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT). Three open passenger charter flights are set to operate on August 8th, 13th, and 18th. The additional flights follow the airline’s inaugural nonstop charter service between the two cities earlier this year. Here’s the latest.
ZIPAIR Resumes Limited Nonstop Flights Between Orlando and Tokyo
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- ZIPAIR charter flights connect MCO and NRT on August 8th, 13th, and 18th
- The flights follow the airline’s first nonstop charter service between the cities earlier this year
- GOAA leadership says international traffic at MCO has grown significantly in recent years
The new charter flights resume this week in response to strong demand for ZIPAIR’s inaugural nonstop service between Orlando and Tokyo earlier this year. That February and March stretch marked the first nonstop open passenger charter operation between Florida and the Asia Pacific region.
Lance Lyttle is Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which manages MCO. He said the reaction to flights earlier this year exceeded expectations. “The excitement surrounding ZIPAIR’s first flights exceeded expectations and sent a clear message that travelers want this connection,” he said. Lyttle added that the “return of service is an exciting milestone and another sign that Orlando continues to strengthen its position as a truly global gateway.”
These new flights build on years of work to establish regularly scheduled service between Orlando and Tokyo, two of the world’s most visited destinations. GOAA leadership has pointed to the effort as more than three decades in the making.
“The success of ZIPAIR’s inaugural flights validated years of work and collaboration among our Air Service Development team and valued tourism and community partners,” said Vicki Jaramillo, Chief Commercial Officer for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. She said GOAA is “optimistic that this momentum will continue to create opportunities for future growth.”
International traffic at MCO has grown substantially in recent years. The airport welcomed approximately 1.4 million more international visitors in 2025 than in 2023. That growth follows a year in which Orlando International ranked among the busiest airports in the country for passenger traffic. The airport highlighted those figures this summer. MCO could see even more international visitors in 2026 and beyond if demand for the Tokyo route keeps building.
ZIPAIR and GOAA have not announced whether this new round of flights will lead to a permanent, regularly scheduled route. We’ll continue to follow this story as more flights, or a permanent route announcement, take shape.
Story So Far
- ZIPAIR operated its first-ever nonstop passenger charter flights between Tokyo and Orlando in February and March, marking the first nonstop connection of its kind between Florida and the Asia Pacific region.
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