All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have unveiled sweeping revamps of their domestic operations to help them prepare for major changes to the Japanese market in 2009.
ANA was first with its plan, announcing the most extensive revamp of domestic passenger services in its history as it looks to shift to more of a hub-and-spoke-type operation. The changes will cover the suspension of at least six domestic routes and frequency reductions on eight more. For another three routes ANA is "considering suspension depending on performance".
JAL's plan covers the suspension of services on 10 routes and flight reductions on five others. The changes are designed to prepare the carriers for major changes in the domestic market that are expected in the 2009 fiscal year, when a new runway opens at congested Haneda airport, allowing for many more services by rival carriers.
Source: Airline Business
