The JAL Group (JAL) – Japan Airlines – has decided to reduce frequency of international flights that are primarily on routes with several service offerings a day, beginning July 1, 2009.
In view of the slow recovery in air transport demand, JAL will strive to improve profitability by adjusting capacity. It will maintain the reduced flight frequency on routes to Beijing, Shanghai (Pudong), Hong Kong, and Taipei, which were decreased in the period of March to June 2009, for a new term from July 1, 2009. In addition to these routes, the number of weekly flights from Tokyo (Narita) to Seoul (Incheon) and New Delhi, as well as from Osaka (Kansai) to Seoul (Incheon) and Shanghai (Pudong), will also be reduced for a short-term period until the end of October 2009.
JAL aims to respond sensitively to current market situations and appreciates the understanding and support of its customers. For customers who have already made reservations on flights that are subject to the change, alternative JAL flights with different timings will be offered.
In possibly related news, four unions representing cockpit crew, cabin crew, and ground staff working for JAL International (JALI) may hold a strike on Wednesday June 17, 2009, which may run through June 19, 2009.
The unions involved and their respective strike actions are as follows:
JAL Pilots Union (660 members) – indicated plans for a 72-hour strike from June 17, 2009.
JAL Labour Union (90 members) & JAL Japan Labour Union (660 members) – indicated plans for a 6-hour strike from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm on June 17, 2009.
JAL Flight Crew Union (1,150 members) – expected to stage a 24-hour strike on June 17, 2009.
While all domestic and international, passenger, and cargo flights are expected to operate as normal on June 17 and 18, 2009, strikes by JAL Pilots Union into the third day on Friday June 19, 2009, may affect some JAL domestic services in the form of flight delays or cancellations.
The unions are still in negotiations with the JAL Group management.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- While all domestic and international, passenger, and cargo flights are expected to operate as normal on June 17 and 18, 2009, strikes by JAL Pilots Union into the third day on Friday June 19, 2009, may affect some JAL domestic services in the form of flight delays or cancellations.
- It will maintain the reduced flight frequency on routes to Beijing, Shanghai (Pudong), Hong Kong, and Taipei, which were decreased in the period of March to June 2009, for a new term from July 1, 2009.
- In addition to these routes, the number of weekly flights from Tokyo (Narita) to Seoul (Incheon) and New Delhi, as well as from Osaka (Kansai) to Seoul (Incheon) and Shanghai (Pudong), will also be reduced for a short-term period until the end of October 2009.
