A commuter airline connecting Hokkaido's remote islands and regional communities.
Hokkaido Air System (HAC) is a commuter airline within the JAL Group, established in 1997. Based at Sapporo's Okadama Airport, it operates regional and remote-island routes across Hokkaido, serving destinations such as Okushiri, Rishiri, Rebun, Hakodate, and Asahikawa. In winter, operations demand flying under harsh weather conditions — heavy snowfall, low visibility, and icy runways — requiring exceptional skill and sound judgment.
Since 2022, HAC has introduced the ATR 42-600 and continues to modernize its fleet. The ATR is a turboprop aircraft built by a French-Spanish joint venture, offering high fuel efficiency and excellent environmental performance. Flying against the backdrop of Hokkaido's magnificent natural landscape brings pilots a special sense of fulfillment.
* 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 |
¥15M–¥19M |
¥17M | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
¥8.5M–¥12M |
¥10M | Seniority-based |
Compensation follows JAL Group pay regulations, with bonuses paid twice a year on the JAL Group standard. A cold-region (winter) allowance is paid separately on top of base pay, and loss-of-license insurance covers both on-duty and off-duty incidents. Figures are shown pre-tax in Japanese yen; standard Japanese income tax and social insurance apply.
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 | ¥3M–¥4.5M | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | ¥8.5M–¥10.1M | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | ¥9.5M–¥11M | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | ¥10.4M–¥12M | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | ¥15M–¥16.8M | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | ¥16.1M–¥17.9M | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | ¥17.2M–¥19M | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
Main routes radiate from the Okadama base in Sapporo: Okadama–Okushiri (about 45 minutes), Okadama–Rishiri (about 50 minutes), and Okadama–Rebun (about 55 minutes), together with regional links such as Hakodate–Okadama and Hakodate–Misawa, forming a network between regional cities across Hokkaido. Operationally, the flying is defined by winter conditions — snow-covered and icy surfaces and low visibility — demanding strong decision-making skills during blizzards and snowfall. HAC leverages the latest ATR 42-600 turboprop technology and operates as vital lifeline infrastructure for the residents of remote islands and regional communities.
ATR 42-600 — a 48-seat, latest-generation ATR turboprop. Operations are centered on the Okadama (OKD) hub, specialized for cold-region flying on routes within Hokkaido, and serve remote-island and regional communities as an essential lifeline for the region's residents.
Aligned with the JAL Group's unified training system. Ground academics, simulator, and actual-aircraft training are all conducted to JAL standards, maintaining safety criteria equivalent to JAL's mainline operation.
Type-rating training on the French-built ATR turboprop, including sessions at ATR-certified simulator facilities. Pilots master the latest glass-cockpit and FMS operating techniques.
Training to handle Hokkaido's distinctive winter weather — blizzards, icing, and low visibility. Pilots acquire cold-region-specific skills such as de-icing procedures and aircraft management in low-temperature environments.
After building sufficient flight experience as an F/O, pilots undergo the captain-upgrade assessment. Proficiency checks are mandated once or twice a year, continuously maintaining high safety standards.
Discounted JAL Group tickets for employees and their families. Discounts are also available across Oneworld member airlines.
Membership in the JAL Group Health Insurance Society, with specialized medical support for pilots and full loss-of-license insurance.
Cold-region allowance and housing support. A posting where you can fully enjoy Hokkaido's rich natural environment and outdoor lifestyle, including skiing.
Retirement allowance and corporate pension based on JAL Group standards, with a substantial program structured according to years of service.
Comprehensive childcare leave and reduced-hours programs. Male pilots are encouraged to take childcare leave, and family-care leave is also in place.
Type-rating training costs are covered by HAC, which also fully funds transition-training costs for the new ATR fleet.
Hiring status: Check official site — JAL Group hiring
Hiring status varies by period. Please confirm the latest information on the JAL Group recruitment page or the HAC official website.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido Air System (HAC) 🇯🇵 | ¥15M–¥19M | ¥8.5M–¥12M | ~33% (Japan) |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | ¥22M–¥35M | ¥14M–¥21M | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | ¥22M–¥35M | ¥14M–¥21M | ~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.
Hokkaido Air System (HAC) captain pay averages about ¥17M per year (range ¥15M–¥19M), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Hokkaido Air System (HAC) first officer pay averages about ¥10M per year (range ¥8.5M–¥12M), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Hokkaido Air System Pilot Recruitment — First Officer (F/O) — experienced hire / internal JAL Group transfer. Key requirements — Eligibility: Holder of a Commercial Pilot License (multi-engine, instrument), or an internal JAL Group transfer; Base: Sapporo Okadama Airport (Hokkaido); English Requirement: Aviation English Proficiency Certificate, Level 4 or higher. Hiring status varies by period. Please confirm the latest information on the JAL Group recruitment page or the HAC official website.
Hokkaido Air System (HAC) captains average ¥17M, versus roughly ¥27M at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.