May figures show Japan Airlines is still in a rut

Japan Airlines suffered a staggering 19.8 percent drop to 783,333 in international passengers in May this year, its largest monthly percentage decline since October 2002.

Domestic passenger numbers also declined in the same month, JAL posting a 13.4 percent fall to 3.038 million, its largest ever percentage fall according to Kyodo News.

Passengers on its Southeast Asian routes fell 21.6 percent whilst those on its South Korea routes fell 22.4 percent and Oceania dropped 40.0 percent.

The carrier blamed the downturn in travel demand and swine flu fears for the poor figures.

Last Thursday, participants at a JAL creditors meeting organised by the transport ministry said creditors insisted that JAL continue to trim its operating costs.