JAL to Increase Flights to China

The JAL Group is making further revisions to its route and frequency plan for the second half of FY2006 (the year ending March 31, 2007), in addition to those already announced in August 2006.

From October 29, 2006, JAL will increase international passenger flight frequency between Japan and China. JAL will double the number of flights on its Tokyo and Guangzhou route establishing a twice-daily service between the two cities. Flight frequency will be increased on JAL's Tokyo – Xiamen route from 3 to 4 flights per week.

JAL already announced on August 17, 2006 that it would increase its Nagoya (Chubu) - Guangzhou service from 3 to 7 flights per week from October 29.

At present, JAL serves 12 cities in China on 29 routes with a total of 240 flights per week including code shares. The proposed second half revisions would increase the number of flights offered by JAL to 252 flights per week.

JAL will also increase international cargo flight frequency between the two countries from October 29, 2006. JAL will increase its Tokyo- Guangzhou service from 1 to 2 flights per week.

From March 24, 2007, JAL will suspend its under-performing Osaka - Brisbane - Sydney - Osaka route.

Flight frequency will be increased on JAL’s Tokyo – Los Angeles route from 7 to 8 flights per week from October 29, 2006. The airline’s popular JAL Shell Flat Seat will become available on all flights between Japan and the US mainland following the introduction of the seat on Tokyo – Los Angeles flights (JL065/066) on November 4, 2006.

In the JAL Group medium-term business plan FY2006-2010, the company forecasts a 13.5 billion yen (US$112.5 million) income improvement in FY2006 from route suspensions, flight frequency adjustments, and a review of aircraft scheduling. JAL's route restructuring measures led to an income improvement of 3 billion yen (US$25 million) in FY2005.

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