Loss-making Japan Airlines (JAL) has unveiled major changes to its network that will see it suspending services on three international passenger routes, 12 domestic passenger routes and one international cargo route. On several other routes it is changing flight frequencies and moving to smaller aircraft.
These initiatives aim to improve earnings and competitiveness in the current climate of high fuel prices, Oneworld alliance member JAL says in a statement, adding that the changes to the domestic network are the biggest since 2002.
Starting 26 October the Fukuoka-Shanghai Pudong and Nagoya Chubu-Busan international passenger services are to be suspended, as is the Osaka Kansai-London service starting 29 March, says JAL.
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On four routes to China and one route to Taiwan the airline is moving to smaller aircraft, it adds.
But JAL says with effect from 26 October it is increasing the frequency of its Tokyo Narita-Seoul, Osaka Kansai-Shanghai Pudong, Osaka Kansai-Hanoi and Osaka Kansai-Seoul passenger services.
On the domestic front, the carrier is suspending services on 12 domestic routes and half of these are flights originating at Osaka Kansai.
The airline is also reducing frequency on four domestic routes, three of which originate in Osaka Kansai. But the airline says it is increasing frequencies on five domestic routes, two of which originate in Tokyo Haneda.
JAL’s cargo business is also suspending its Tokyo Narita-Kuala Lumpur-Manila-Osaka Kansai-Tokyo Narita freighter service with effect from 26 October.
It is also reducing the frequency of its Tokyo Narita-Taipei service and cutting the frequency of a service from Tokyo Narita to Singapore and Bangkok.
In addition, it is reducing the frequency of its New York and Los Angeles freighter services that originate in Tokyo Narita. But it is increasing the frequency of its Tokyo Narita-Hong Kong service, it adds.
JAL in the three months to 30 June posted a ¥3.4 billion ($31 million) net loss, which is narrower than the ¥4.2 billion net loss it posted in the corresponding period last financial year.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: Flight International
