JAL adds flights on lucrative routes in bid to regain altitude

Toronto: After two turbulent years that dragged its results down, Japan Airlines is trying to regain its position through a revamp of its international flights. For the cargo division, the major changes will kick in during the second half of the year, when new freighters join the fleet.
For this spring, JAL has overhauled its international passenger network, cutting back on unprofitable routes and boosting flights on more lucrative sectors, such as Tokyo-New York, which goes up from 10 to 13 weekly flights. The airline has also stepped up frequency to France, China, India, Russia and Vietnam.
At the same time, JAL has scrapped its Zurich flight and cut back on the frequency to Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The Kansai-Brisbane-Sydney flight has also been cancelled.
Management expects the restructuring will help boost profits by some US$60 million. The airline needs to improve its bottom line, after the financial year that ended in March 2006 produced a loss of over $398 million, caused by high fuel costs and some safety mishaps that prompted passengers to switch to rival carriers.
21/04/07 Ian Putzger/Cargonews Asia, Hong Kong

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Categories: Foreign Apr 2007