Departures: Japan ease

THE new Kansai international airport opens near Osaka in Japan on 4 September. On that date, Japan Air Lines begins a new service from Heathrow to Kansai. A ticket bought through JAL (071-408 1000) would cost at least pounds 1,142 return. For only pounds 645, however, you can get a seat on the inaugural flight - as long as you transfer at Kansai to Sydney. The return ticket from Australia is valid a year, and JAL will put you up for the night in Japan before the flight home. This deal is only available through agents, such as Quest Worldwide (081-547 3322).