Troubled carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) will discontinue a total of 16 routes starting next month as part of its own efforts to reduce operating costs and cut losses. The airline said it will cut eight international passenger routes, mainly to destinations in Asia along with a further eight domestic passenger routes, including short-haul flights like Tokyo to Kobe, as well as one cargo route. JAL also said it will downsize the aircraft used ona further five routes.

Flight frequency on five international routes – Tokyo (Narita/Haneda) to Sao Paulo via New York, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong –will also be reduced for a short term period of two to three months between January and March, 2010, when passenger demand on these routes is expected to be weak. Capacity will also be lowered by means of downsizing the aircraft used on 3 other international routes between Tokyo and Beijing as well as Hong Kong for a similar length of time. JAL said it aims to respond more sensitively to current market situations in order to improve profitability.