Japanese low-cost carrier Zipair is changing the design on its tail from the letter "Z", which resembles symbols painted on Russian tanks invading Ukraine.

Zipair president Shingo Nishida made the announcement this week at Narita Airport near Tokyo.

He acknowledged the resemblance and the confusion it might invite, noting the "invasion of Ukraine".

For now, the letter has been covered with a decal design.

By year's end, the airline will update the livery on all of its aircraft.

The carrier is part of the Japan Airlines, or JAL, group and was set up in 2018.

It operates four Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with flights connecting Narita with Bangkok, Seoul, Honolulu, Singapore and Los Angeles.

The origin of the "Z" character painted on tanks has remained unclear, but it has become a symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  

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Wires/ABC