Honda Motor took shareholders on a sightseeing flight Saturday aboard its self-developed HondaJet small business aircraft.
After departing from Oita Airport in Kunisaki, Oita Prefecture, eight passengers, including shareholders chosen by lottery from 6,846 applicants for the shareholder benefit program and their families, enjoyed a 30-minute flight over Cape Sada in Ehime Prefecture and the eastern part of Oita, with views of the Bungo Channel.
“It wasn’t as bumpy as I thought. It was interesting, so I want to apply again next year,” a 52-year-old male shareholder from Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, said after the flight.
This is the second time Honda has offered a sightseeing flight for its shareholders since last year. Those who have owned 100 or more shares of the company for at least three years could apply for the program aimed at encouraging long-term share ownership.
Honda is promoting experience-based shareholder benefits, which include factory tours. “We want to increase the number of individual investors who will become Honda fans,” a Honda official said.
Four HondaJet models have been released, all of which can accommodate up to eight passengers. More than 250 units of the aircraft have been shipped since its first delivery in 2015.