Amakusa Airlines — Japan's smallest carrier, the wings of Amakusa flying on a single aircraft.
An Amakusa Airlines (AMX) captain earns an average of $88K per year, typically $75K–$101K. First officers average $53K ($44K–$63K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
Amakusa Airlines (AMX) was founded in 1998 and began operations in 2000. Based in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, its defining feature is that it runs its route network on a single aircraft — a scale of operation unmatched by any other airline in Japan. It owns and operates just one ATR 42-600, serving the Amakusa–Fukuoka, Amakusa–Kumamoto, and Amakusa–Osaka (Itami) routes.
The airline codeshares with both JAL and ANA, another rarity among Japanese carriers. Departing from and arriving at Amakusa Airport — surrounded by the beautiful seas and nature of the Amakusa region — its routes play a vital role as tourism, medical, and everyday-life infrastructure for the area. It is a workplace with a strong sense of purpose and reward, where a small, elite team maintains the widest possible network with a single aircraft.
* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.
| Position | Salary Range | Avg / Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain International widebody |
$75K–$101K |
$88K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$44K–$63K |
$53K | Seniority-based |
Bonuses are paid twice a year, set to the standards of a company funded by local government. A separate regional allowance is paid for the Amakusa posting, and flight (duty) allowances apply on top of base pay. Loss-of-license insurance is fully provided, covering both on-duty and off-duty cases. All figures are in Japanese yen (¥).
Modeled from the captain / first-officer ranges above, sliced into standard career stages. Bands marked est. are derived from those ranges (not official); verified bands come from active-pilot data. Management pay is crowd-sourced from verified pilots.
| Career Stage | Years | Annual (pre-tax) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet / Trainee | ≤2 yrs | $19K–$28K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $44K–$53K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $49K–$58K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $55K–$63K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $75K–$87K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $82K–$94K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $89K–$101K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
Main routes: Amakusa–Fukuoka (approx. 30 min), Amakusa–Kumamoto (approx. 20 min), and Amakusa–Osaka/Itami (approx. 70 min), with schedule management pushed to its limits on a single-aircraft setup. Single-aircraft operation carries distinctive demands: keeping the airframe in top condition is the paramount priority; pilots must make immediate decisions and respond when schedules slip; high adaptability to Amakusa's characteristic maritime weather is essential; and the dual codeshare with both JAL and ANA must be managed simultaneously.
One ATR 42-600 (48 seats) operated as a single-aircraft fleet, based at Amakusa Airport (AXJ). AMX is the only carrier in Japan with a dual JAL/ANA codeshare arrangement, and its smallest-scale operation in Japan makes it a genuinely unique presence.
Type-rating training is conducted on the ATR 42-600, the latest model of this French-built turboprop, covering its glass cockpit and up-to-date avionics. Training also includes sessions at ATR-certified facilities.
Pilots sharpen the ability to make immediate decisions based on the maintenance status of the sole airframe and on changing weather. With no backup aircraft available, a high level of risk management and CRM skill is required.
Training to handle the maritime weather of the Amakusa Sea and the Shiranui Sea, and to master precision landings on Amakusa Airport's unusual terrain and short runway. Sound judgment during typhoon season is also important.
Because the team is small and elite, upgrade to captain tends to come relatively early. Safety standards are maintained through proficiency checks one to two times a year, within a close-knit environment where all staff work closely together.
Discounted AMX tickets for employees and their families. JAL and ANA discounts can also be used, subject to partnership terms.
Amakusa's beautiful sea, dolphin watching, and fresh seafood — a fulfilling lifestyle amid rich natural surroundings.
Membership in the health insurance society, with health-management support tailored to pilots. Loss-of-license insurance is fully provided.
A full retirement allowance scheme, built on the stable corporate foundation funded by Kumamoto Prefecture and Amakusa City.
The homelike workplace atmosphere that only Japan's smallest airline can offer — a strong sense of solidarity where all staff know one another.
Type-rating training costs are covered by AMX. Because the team is small and elite, individualized support is extensive.
Hiring status: As of March 2026 — rare openings, check official site
Because the airline operates a single aircraft, openings are extremely limited and arise only when a vacancy occurs. Check the official AMX website regularly for hiring status. Those aspiring to work at Amakusa Airlines may in some cases be able to reach out by inquiry alone.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amakusa Airlines (AMX) 🇯🇵 | $75K–$101K | $44K–$63K | ~33% (Japan) |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
* Salary figures are SSOT reference values (pre-tax unless marked tax-free). ANA / JAL shown as the Japan baseline — ~33% income tax applies in Japan, so after-tax take-home is lower than the headline. Tax-free carriers pay 100% take-home. Verify exact figures with each airline.
Amakusa Airlines (AMX) captain pay averages about $88K per year (range $75K–$101K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Amakusa Airlines (AMX) first officer pay averages about $53K per year (range $44K–$63K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Amakusa Airlines Pilot Recruitment — First Officer (F/O) / Captain — experienced hire (rare positions due to single-aircraft operation). Key requirements — Eligibility: Commercial Pilot License (multi-engine, instrument) or Airline Transport Pilot License holder; Work Location: Amakusa Airport (Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture); English Requirement: Aviation English Proficiency Certificate, Level 4 or above. Because the airline operates a single aircraft, openings are extremely limited and arise only when a vacancy occurs. Check the official AMX website regularly for hiring status. Those aspiring to work at Amakusa Airlines may in some cases be able to reach out by inquiry alone.
Amakusa Airlines (AMX) captains average $88K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, Amakusa Airlines (AMX) captains earn about $7.4K a month and first officers about $4.5K. What actually lands each month moves with block hours flown, and where an annual bonus is paid the regular monthly figure sits lower with a spike in the bonus month.
Amakusa Airlines (AMX) first officers average $53K and captains $88K — a step of about $35K, or roughly 1.6×. The full range runs $44K to $101K, and where you sit inside it is set by seniority, type rating and the routes you fly. The seniority table on this page breaks the same range into career stages.
Every figure on this page is gross, before income tax. Captains average $88K and first officers $53K pre-tax, and income tax, social insurance and any local levies come out of that. Take-home depends on where you are resident and on your own deductions, so no single percentage applies. Airlines based in countries with no personal income tax — the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia — leave more of the same gross figure in your hand.
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