Spring Airlines, the nation’s only budget carrier, is looking to replicate its successful business model by setting up an aviation company in Japan, sources said.

Spring Airlines will operate flights from Japanese cities pending approval, the China Business News said, citing an unnamed source from the Shanghai-based carrier.

The registered Japanese firm will be a venture between Spring Airlines and Japanese companies with the airline holding a 33 percent stake.

Compared to major domestic airlines, Spring Airlines' operational costs were 28 percent lower than the industrial average in 2012 and its management costs are 45 percent lower than the market average.