Griffon Marine Celebrates Launch of New Passenger Hovercraft Route in Japan

Griffon Marine Ltd was honoured to attend the official Opening Ceremony on Saturday 19 July 2025 to celebrate the launch of Japan’s newest scheduled passenger hovercraft service, operated by OITA DAIICHI HOVERCRAFT Co., Ltd. The service, which resumes a long-dormant route between Oita Airport and Oita City, is set to begin full operations on Saturday 26 July.

The new route, one of only two scheduled passenger hovercraft services in the world, dramatically reduces travel time across Beppu Bay—cutting the journey from an hour by bus to just 30 minutes. The service is expected to carry between 30…