Skyscanner’s Far East joint venture

Travellers’ search engine Skyscanner has joined forces with Yahoo to enter the vast Japanese market.

Scotland’s first $1 billion (£650 million) internet business, will hold a 51% stake in the venture with Yahoo Japan owning the remaining 49%.

Japan is the third largest travel market in the world, with bookings this year estimated to rise to some $71bn

The Skyscanner and Yahoo! Japan joint venture will allow travellers to compare millions of flight options in Japan and internationally.

Skyscanner Japan brings together Skyscanner’s leading flight search capabilities with Yahoo! Japan’s position as one of the largest digital media sites and search engines in Japan, serving on average more than 60bn page views a month.

Both partners will also be able to accelerate their growth in the important market and offer millions of consumers comprehensive travel options for free.

Edinburgh-based Skyscanner will share its API (Application Programming Interface) with Yahoo! Japan and power its flight search results.

Yahoo! Japan has a large audience and wealth of experience Japanese market.

Last year, visitors to Skyscanner in Japan grew by 40%, and the joint venture is expected to increase growth.

Gareth Williams, co-founder and chief executive of Skyscanner, said: “Skyscanner Japan is a start-up backed by a leading global travel search engine and the biggest search engine in the world’s third biggest travel market.

“Skyscanner offers the most comprehensive range of travel options to travellers globally.”

The joint venture would bring more benefits to consumers, he added.

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Skyscanner is hoping to fly high in Japan.