Hokkaido International Airlines, known by its brand name Air Do (ICAO: ADO), is a Japanese regional airline that specializes in connecting the island of Hokkaido with major cities across Japan.
Hokkaido International Airlines was founded in 1996 by Hokkaido entrepreneur Teruo Hamada, commencing flight operations in December 1998 under the "Air Do" brand. Its establishment aimed to offer a low-cost alternative to major domestic carriers on routes between Hokkaido and Tokyo, following domestic airline deregulation. The company's legal name officially changed to AIRDO Co., Ltd. on October 1, 2012. In May 2021, Air Do announced its intention to merge with Solaseed Air, leading to the formation of a joint holding company, RegionalPlus Wings Corp., in October 2022 to strengthen regional operations.
The airline's operational base is in Sapporo, Japan, with its primary hub at New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) and a secondary hub at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Air Do operates an exclusively domestic route network, serving 11 destinations within Japan as of November 2025. Its routes predominantly link regional airports in Hokkaido, such as Hakodate, Asahikawa, Obihiro, Kushiro, and Memanbetsu, to key cities on Honshu Island, including Tokyo (Haneda), Sendai, Nagoya, Kobe, and Fukuoka.
Air Do maintains an all-Boeing fleet, comprising 12 aircraft as of November 2025. This includes 8 Boeing 737-700 narrow-body aircraft for shorter, high-frequency routes and 4 Boeing 767-300 wide-body aircraft for higher-capacity services. All aircraft are configured in an economy-only layout, featuring a distinctive blue-and-yellow livery adorned with illustrations of the airline's polar bear mascot, BearDo. While Air Do is not a member of a global airline alliance, it operates in close cooperation with All Nippon Airways (ANA), including codeshare agreements on its flights. Air Do offers a frequent-flyer program called "My AIRDO" and emphasizes "Hokkaido Hospitality" with services such as spacious seating, complimentary beverages like green tea and apple juice, and an in-flight shop selling BearDo merchandise.
Traveler reviews for Air Do generally highlight a positive experience, especially for a domestic regional carrier.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall sentiment for Air Do is largely positive, with passengers consistently highlighting the airline's strong commitment to customer service and a comfortable, reliable experience for domestic travel within Japan. Minor issues primarily relate to the aging of some aircraft and occasional airport logistics, but these are often outweighed by the positive interactions with staff and the airline's efficient operations.
Air Do maintains a commendable safety record based on available data.
Recent safety record and any notable incidents: Air Do has received a 7/7 safety rating from AirlineRatings.com, indicating a high standard of safety. The airline boasts a fatality-free record. While minor incidents have been reported, such as a Boeing 737-700 experiencing hydraulic failure in July 2024 and a Boeing 767-300 having engine problems in March 2015, these events appear to have been managed without serious consequences or fatalities.
Regulatory certifications: AirlineRatings.com confirms that Air Do has successfully passed 3 out of 3 audits, further reinforcing its adherence to safety protocols. While specific mention of direct FAA compliance or inclusion on an EU safety list was not found, the airline's operational partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA) and its high safety rating suggest compliance with stringent Japanese aviation regulations. Many IATA members are IOSA registered, which is an internationally recognized evaluation system for operational management and control.
Fleet age and maintenance reputation: Air Do operates a fleet consisting of Boeing 737-700s and Boeing 767-300ERs. Some aircraft, particularly those previously operated by ANA, can be up to 19 years old, with one review noting an aircraft "showing its age." However, the consistent high safety rating and successful audits indicate that Air Do maintains a strong maintenance program, ensuring the airworthiness of its fleet despite the age of some aircraft.
Overall safety assessment based on available data: Based on the available data, Air Do is assessed as a very safe airline. Its 7/7 safety rating, fatality-free history, and successful completion of audits are strong indicators of a robust safety management system and a commitment to passenger well-being.
Any safety awards or recognitions: No specific safety awards or recognitions for Air Do were identified in the provided search results.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKJ → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
221 | 579 mi | 737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CTS → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
169 | 510 mi | B737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| KUH → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
134 | 569 mi | 737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CTS → SDJ |
Sendai
Natori
|
103 | 323 mi | B737 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| HKD → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
86 | 434 mi | 737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| HND → CTS |
New Chitose
Chitose
|
70 | 510 mi | B763 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| HKD → NGO |
Chubu Centrair Int'l (Centrair)
Chita
|
67 | 525 mi | B737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CTS → FUK |
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
|
64 | 880 mi | B737 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| CTS → UKB |
Kobe
Kobe
|
47 | 662 mi | B763 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| UKB → CTS |
New Chitose
Chitose
|
46 | 662 mi | 737 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| MMB → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
41 | 621 mi | 737 | Nov 28, 2025 |
| HND → HKD |
Hakodate
Hakodate
|
36 | 434 mi | B763 | Nov 16, 2025 |
| HND → OBO |
Tokachi-Obihiro
Obihiro
|
34 | 530 mi | 737 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| HND → MMB |
Memanbetsu
Ozora
|
31 | 621 mi | 737 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| CTS → NGO |
Chubu Centrair Int'l (Centrair)
Chita
|
25 | 607 mi | B737 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| OBO → HND |
Tokyo Int'l (Haneda)
Ota
|
17 | 530 mi | B737 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| HND → AKJ |
Asahikawa
Higashikagura
|
11 | 579 mi | B737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SDJ → CTS |
New Chitose
Chitose
|
6 | 323 mi | 737 | Jul 24, 2025 |
| HND → KUH |
Kushiro
Kushiro
|
5 | 569 mi | B737 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| NGO → HKD |
Hakodate
Hakodate
|
4 | 525 mi | B737 | Aug 16, 2025 |
| FUK → CTS |
New Chitose
Chitose
|
2 | 880 mi | 737 | Oct 19, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.