A regional carrier connecting regional cities on flights to and from Osaka Itami.
IBEX Airlines is a regional airline founded in 1999 and based at Osaka Itami Airport. It maintains a partnership and codeshare with ANA and operates regional routes to and from Itami (Sendai, Yamagata, Niigata, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and others). Its fleet is the Bombardier CRJ-700ER, a 70-seat-class regional jet.
The name IBEX comes from the wild goat (ibex) that inhabits the Alps, embodying the agility and strength to bound effortlessly across rugged mountains. As a specialist in regional-jet operations, the airline efficiently sustains its network of regional routes to and from Itami Airport. The CRJ-700 is a type in strong demand worldwide.
* 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 |
¥9M–¥12.5M |
¥10.5M | Seniority-based |
Compensation follows ANA-partnership pay standards. Bonuses are paid two to three times a year on a performance-linked basis. An overnight-operations allowance is paid separately as a supplement for layovers in regional cities, and loss-of-license insurance (covering both on-duty and off-duty) is provided. All figures are stated in Japanese yen; convert to your local currency using the site's currency toggle.
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 | ¥9M–¥10.6M | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | ¥10M–¥11.5M | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | ¥10.9M–¥12.5M | 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 |
Key routes operate to and from Osaka Itami: Itami ⇄ Sendai / Yamagata, Itami ⇄ Niigata, and Itami ⇄ Nagasaki / Kumamoto, with nationwide connectivity provided through ANA codeshare. Flying demands precise operations within Itami Airport's slot-restricted time windows. Regional operations are characterized by the precise regional-jet handling of the CRJ-700, deep familiarity with Itami's congestion and environmental standards, efficient two-pilot (CRM) teamwork, and honed landing technique across a variety of regional airports.
Bombardier CRJ-700ER — a 70-seat regional jet. Based at Osaka Itami (ITM) as its hub, the airline is specialized in regional routes on a Kansai-centered network, operating ANA codeshare services.
Type-rating training on the Bombardier CRJ-700ER. Pilots master the systems unique to this Canadian-built regional jet, the Collins Pro Line 4 avionics, and FMS operation. The type has an extensive worldwide operating record.
Precision training for Osaka Itami Airport, which is characterized by noise restrictions, curfews, and dense schedules. It thoroughly covers air-traffic-control handling in congested airspace and punctuality-focused operational management.
In line with the partnership and codeshare with ANA, training ensures consistency with ANA's standard operating procedures. The program applies ANA quality standards to day-to-day operations.
As a regional carrier, the F/O-to-Captain upgrade tends to be relatively smooth. Ongoing skill verification is carried out through proficiency checks one to two times a year.
IBEX discounted air tickets for employees and their families. Discounts can also be used on ANA codeshare flights.
Based at Osaka Itami Airport, enjoy life in the Kansai region — working in an area rich in food, culture, and entertainment.
Membership in the health insurance society, with health-management support specialized for pilots. Loss-of-license insurance is included.
A retirement allowance scheme and corporate pension are provided, with a generous benefit design based on length of service.
Childcare leave and reduced-hours work systems are in place, with a track record of male pilots taking childcare leave. Family-care leave is also established.
Type-rating training costs are covered by IBEX, along with a cost-support system for continuing education and skill development.
Hiring status: Experienced-hire recruitment (F/O & Captain) — check official site for current status (as of March 2026)
Hiring status varies by period. Please check the IBEX official website for the latest information.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBEX Airlines 🇯🇵 | ¥15M–¥19M | ¥9M–¥12.5M | ~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.
IBEX Airlines captain pay averages about ¥17M per year (range ¥15M–¥19M), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
IBEX Airlines first officer pay averages about ¥10.5M per year (range ¥9M–¥12.5M), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
IBEX Airlines Pilot Recruitment — First Officer (F/O) / Captain — experienced hire. Key requirements — Eligibility: Holder of a Commercial Pilot License (multi-engine, instrument) or an Airline Transport Pilot License; Location: Osaka Itami Airport (Osaka Prefecture); English requirement: Aviation English Proficiency certificate, Level 4 or above. Hiring status varies by period. Please check the IBEX official website for the latest information.
IBEX Airlines captains average ¥17M, versus roughly ¥27M at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.