Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has issued a warning to Japan Transocean Air (JTA) due to unprepared maintenance records. Between Nov. 5, 2025, and Nov. 7, 2025, Miyako and Naha airports had on-site inspections, after which authorities were concerned due to 170 similar cases in the past two years.
Maintenance Record Issue
During the on-site inspection, authorities have confirmed that the maintenance records needed for work that involves multiple mechanics or when work is handed over at shift changes were not prepared. These are confirmations required by Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Act after maintenance work. Not preparing them renders an aircraft unairworthy and therefore illegal to fly, even if the mechanical work performed was flawless.
Other consequences include the invalidation of the Airworthiness Certificate, suspension of operations for up to six months, potential revocation of approval, and severe civil liability.
MLIT have confirmed that the aircraft logbooks and other records showed that there were no issues with the airworthiness of the aircraft, but that the confirmations required after maintenance work had not been conducted and no records were prepared after them.
The ministry has requested that JTA submit a report on measures to prevent recurrence by Feb. 27.
A Little About Transocean Air
JTA is a Japanese airline based in Naha, Okinawa, operating as a subsidiary of the Japan Airlines (JAL) group. Established in 1967, JTA (formerly Southwest Air Lines) is an affiliate member of the Oneworld airline alliance, and it also holds a 74.5% stake in Ryukyu Air Commuter.
The airline is known for highlighting Okinawan culture, featuring in-flight announcements in the local Shimakutuba dialect and crew in Kariyushi shirts, a style of dress shirt that originated in Okinawa. They specialise in domestic flights connecting Okinawa to major Japanese cities, using a fleet of Boeing 737-800s, and feature unique, culture-focused, and, occasionally, specially painted aircraft like the “Jinbei Jet”.
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