JAL to Suspend Freighter Only Flights between Tokyo and New York

Japan Airlines has revised its cargo fleet, route and frequency plan for the 2nd half of FY2008, the year ending March 31, 2009. The airline will suspend freighter only operations between Tokyo (Narita) and New York, and reduce freighter flight frequency from 6 to 5 flights per week on  the Tokyo (Narita) - Los Angeles route. By the end of November 2008, JAL will also have retired from service its last remaining two Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft.

The airline will also cancel the conversion of one of its Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft into a freighter aircraft, as had originally been planned.

In order to build a more profitable business structure, the airline will is concentrating its freighter resources on just two destinations in North America: Chicago and Los Angeles. By concentrating on fewer freighter destinations in North America and adjusting demand and supply, JAL aims to speedily respond to changes in the business environment and further improve profitability.

The airline is currently facing a tough environment, particularly in terms of its North American freighter business. Even though the price of fuel has stabilized, it has remained at a very high level. Furthermore, the business outlook, centering on North America, remains gloomy.

JAL will respond to demand for cargo transportation to and from New York, by utilizing belly space on the airline's twice-daily passenger flights serving between Tokyo and New York, and by using feeder truck services to and from the airline's freighter gateway in Chicago.

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