Empty Seats Force JAL To Clip International Flights

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Japan Airlines Corp. announced Monday that it will temporarily reduce the frequency of some international flights to such destinations as China due to low occupancy.

On the chopping board are flights between Narita airport and Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul and Delhi. Also targeted are services between Kansai airport and Shanghai and Delhi, as well as the Haneda airport-Hong Kong route.

Through these cutbacks, JAL aims to reduce the number of empty seats per flight to improve profitability.

All Nippon Airways Co. and other overseas carriers could also lower the frequency of unprofitable routes.

As part of support measures for the industry, the Transport Ministry last week decided to temporarily suspend a rule whereby airlines forfeit their arrival and departure slots due to tepid usage rates.

(The Nikkei June 16 morning edition)