Oriental Air Bridge (ICAO: ORC)
This report provides comprehensive information about Oriental Air Bridge, often referenced by its ICAO code ORC, structured into three distinct sections.
Oriental Air Bridge Co., Ltd., initially established as Nagasaki Airways on June 12, 1961, was rebranded to Oriental Air Bridge in March 2001. This Japanese regional airline is headquartered on the grounds of Nagasaki Airport in Ōmura, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, which also serves as its main operational base and hub.
The airline operates a fleet primarily composed of regional aircraft suitable for its network. As of May 2024, its fleet includes four Bombardier DHC-8-400 aircraft (74 seats) and two ATR 42-600 aircraft (48 seats). The ATR 42-600s were introduced in late 2022 to replace older Bombardier Dash 8 Q200s. Oriental Air Bridge focuses on regional domestic services, connecting islands within Nagasaki Prefecture and operating flights from key cities like Fukuoka and Nagoya (the latter often utilizing ANA Wings aircraft). Destinations include Akita, Fukuoka, Fukue, Iki, Komatsu, Miyazaki, Tsushima, and Chubu. While not a member of a major airline alliance, Oriental Air Bridge has codeshare agreements with All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL), facilitating broader connectivity for travelers. As a scheduled full-service regional carrier, it emphasizes essential air transportation for its routes.
Recent traveler reviews indicate a generally positive sentiment for Oriental Air Bridge, with an average rating of 7.4/10.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, travelers generally view Oriental Air Bridge as a reliable and essential regional carrier, particularly commending its crew and operational efficiency for short-haul flights. The primary areas for improvement, such as in-flight services, are largely inherent to its regional operational model.
Oriental Air Bridge emphasizes "safe operation" as its fundamental mission and the cornerstone of customer trust. The company prioritizes safety above all other considerations and continuously strives for its employees to acquire the latest knowledge and skills in safety.
The airline transparently reports operational disruptions due to equipment failures on its website, indicating a commitment to accountability. Examples of past minor incidents leading to flight cancellations or delays include issues with front landing gear steering, flap track fairings, engine covers, bleed air systems, anti-collision light lens covers, hydraulic fluid leaks, and rudder indicator malfunctions. [cite: 3 (from original search)] One notable past incident involved a hard touchdown and tail strike of a Dash 8-400 in October 2020. These incidents are generally operational in nature rather than major accidents.
Regarding regulatory compliance, Oriental Air Bridge operates under Japanese aviation authorities. Japan's aviation safety oversight typically meets high international standards, with Japan maintaining a Category 1 rating with the FAA. While specific IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification for ORC is not explicitly detailed in publicly available information, the airline is not listed on the EU Air Safety List, which bans airlines from operating in the European Union due to failing to meet international safety standards. This absence from the list indicates compliance with international safety regulations. The airline's recent acquisition of new ATR 42-600 aircraft to replace older models also points to ongoing fleet modernization and a commitment to maintaining a modern and well-maintained fleet. No specific safety awards or recognitions were found in the available public information.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMQ → FUK |
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
|
179 | 389 mi | DH8B | Dec 9, 2025 |
| FUK → KMQ |
Komatsu
Komatsu
|
140 | 389 mi | DH8B | Dec 10, 2025 |
| KMI → FUK |
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
|
137 | 132 mi | DH8D | Dec 10, 2025 |
| FUK → KMI |
Miyazaki
Miyazaki
|
79 | 132 mi | DH8D | Dec 10, 2025 |
| NGS → TSJ |
Tsushima
Tsushima
|
75 | 100 mi | ATR | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TSJ → NGS |
Nagasaki
Omura
|
73 | 100 mi | ATR | Dec 3, 2025 |
| NGS → FUJ |
Fukue
Gotō Islands
|
69 | 65 mi | ATR | Dec 10, 2025 |
| FUK → TSJ |
Tsushima
Tsushima
|
60 | 80 mi | DH8D | Dec 10, 2025 |
| NGS → IKI |
Iki
Iki
|
58 | 58 mi | AT43 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| FUJ → NGS |
Nagasaki
Omura
|
51 | 65 mi | ATR | Dec 1, 2025 |
| FUJ → FUK |
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
|
47 | 113 mi | DH8D | Dec 1, 2025 |
| TSJ → FUK |
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
|
45 | 80 mi | DH8B | Dec 3, 2025 |
| IKI → NGS |
Nagasaki
Omura
|
39 | 58 mi | AT43 | Dec 1, 2025 |
| FUK → FUJ |
Fukue
Gotō Islands
|
37 | 113 mi | DH8D | Nov 15, 2025 |
| FUK → NGO |
Chubu Centrair Int'l (Centrair)
Chita
|
32 | 374 mi | DH8B | Dec 10, 2025 |
| KMI → NGO |
Chubu Centrair Int'l (Centrair)
Chita
|
20 | 372 mi | DH8D | Dec 10, 2025 |
| AXT → NGO |
Chubu Centrair Int'l (Centrair)
Chita
|
10 | 379 mi | DH8D | Sep 19, 2025 |
| NGO → AXT |
Akita
Akita
|
6 | 379 mi | DH8D | Jul 29, 2025 |
| NGO → KMI |
Miyazaki
Miyazaki
|
4 | 372 mi | DH8D | Aug 13, 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.