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 … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL tinkers with its freighter services

Japan’s two largest carriers – Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) – are seeing a return to cargo growth since November/December last year, but domestic volumes have yet tomove into positive growth. During the first nine months of fiscal 2009, which started in April, JAL transported a total of 454,585 tonnes of cargo on international routes, down 12.6 per cent from the same period of the previous fiscal year. December saw volumes rise 29.9 per … [Read more...] about JAPAN: Int’l cargo improving for Japanese carriers

Five US carriers including the country’s four largest have applied for coveted slots at Tokyo’s downtown Haneda airport, two months after a landmark agreement was reached between the US and Japan to relax restrictions on flights between the two countries. Among the carriers seeking slots are: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Delta and United are the two biggest US carriers serving Japan. Several US … [Read more...] about JAPAN: 5 US carriers salivating over Haneda slots

Air cargo merger talks between ailing Japan Airlines Corp and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha have reached an impasse over the basic framework of the deal, the Nikkei business daily reported. In August last year, the two companies had agreed to combine their air cargo businesses by April 2010. The plan called for JAL to spin off cargo operations, which would then be absorbed by Nippon Yusen unit Nippon Cargo Airlines Co. (NCA). Nippon Yusen was to own a 50 to 60 per cent share in the new … [Read more...] about JAPAN: Cargo merger of JAL and NCA likely dead

BOC Aviation has signed agreements with Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest carrier, for the purchase and leaseback of three new Boeing 737-800 scheduled for delivery in February, July and August this year. All three aircraft are powered by CFM56-7B24/3 engines. Ulf Hüttmeyer, chief financial officer of Air Berlin, said the airline was planning for a slight growth this year and needed additional aircraft also to replace expiring leases. “We aim to maintain a modern fleet … [Read more...] about SINGAPORE: BOC/Air Berlin strike deal on 737-800s

Qantas’ low-cost offshoot, Jetstar, has settled on Singapore as its hub for flights in Asia and as its launch pad for longhaul services to Europe after mulling over whether to locate it in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore. The airline currently serves mainly destinations in Australia, China and Southeast Asia using A320 aircraft, but aims to add wide-body A330-200 medium and long-haul flights to and from destinations in Asia and beyond. The hub placement will likely … [Read more...] about SINGAPORE: Jetstar chooses Singapore as its Asia hub