Japan Airlines said it will launch a B767 freighter service to Vietnam, which will operate a Kansai (Osaka)– Bangkok – Ho Chi Minh – Kansai(Osaka) routing. The twice-weeklyfreighter service will commence whenthe Japanese carrier receives its thirdB767F in late October.

JAL said it will also increase the total number of fl ights per week of its B767F fl eet for additional services on China and Southeast Asia routes. In a statement, the carrier said that in an effort to reduce costs, increase profi tability and strengthen its cargo network, it is increasing the use of this more fuel effi cient aircraft as it gradually retires B747F-200 aircraft from its fl eet.

On routes to China, JAL will increase the number of B767F fl ights from 14 to 17 fl ights per week. On its international sectors, JAL said it will increase the number of direct freighter fl ights to Amsterdam by one fl ight per week from October 28, 2007.

Separately, Japan Airlines’ firstquarter loss narrowed by two-thirds, helped by increases in revenue on international routes and efforts to cut staffi ng costs. The result put the restructuring airline – Asia’s biggest by revenue – slightly ahead in its plan to post a net profi t for the fi rst time in three years, although not enough to bump up its full-year outlook.

JAL said its April-June operating loss came in at JPY8.5 billion yen (US$73 million), down from a JPY31.9 billion yen loss a year earlier. Air transport revenue rose 3 percent, lifted by brisk business passenger demand on routes to China and Southeast Asia, fuel surcharges and the axing of unprofi table routes, the airline said.