The Japan Airlines (JAL) Group has announced its new route, flight frequency and fleet plan for international and domestic passenger operations as well as international cargo operations for the first half of FY2010, the period ending 30 September 2010.

The changes reflect the ongoing Reorganisation Plan with a sharp focus on improving profitability as the ailing carrier undergoes restructuring. JAL said it will closely evaluate market situations and “effectively capitalise on the up-coming expansion of airports in Tokyo”.

As part of the change in cargo operations, JAL will suspend its Ho Chi Minh service, decrease frequency to Bangkok to two flights a week, and for Hong Kong, JAL said it is downsizing the equipment on that route to a B767 freighter, but will maintain 11 flights a week. For North Asia, JAL will reroute some Shanghai late-night flights, while Tianjin and Dalian will also see a rearranged routing – Narita-Tianjin- Dalian-Kansai. Domestically JAL has changed aircraft for the Nagoya (Chubu)-Narita route with two flights utilizing a B747-400F and two flights with a B767F. The changes take effect from 28 March.