TokyoTomo Travel Guide

ANA (NH) has installed “Ladies-only Lavatory” on international routes as from 1st March 2010, except the flights which operated by Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 fleets. Following many requests from passengers for this service, one ladies-only lavatory will be located in the aft section of the Economy Class.

ANA will continue its efforts to improve its service by taking passengers’ requests such as arranging equipments for ladies etc. All the installing work on all the planned fleets will be completed by the end of April.

Even if this facility is for ladies-only, in the case of emergencies such as when required for safety reasons, just prior to the seat belt sign being turned on during take-off and landing, or when a passenger is not feeling well and a personal urgent requires such use, men passengers may be allowed to use these facilities. Also if there are very few female passengers, the ladies-only designation may be lifted for the flight. In such cases, passengers will be informed through an in-flight announcement. In addition, the facility will be used by passengers with disabilities.

Source: Travel Vision

Travel Vision Inc. provides information on the travel industry in Japan via "Daily Travel Vision", a Japanese-language e-mail newsletter, and the "Travel Vision" website. There are nearly 110,000 people working in the Japanese travel industry, and Travel Vision is proud to be bringing travel news to more than 30,000 people through Daily Travel Vision.

“Hina Matsuri” (in Japanese 雛祭り, Festival of Dolls) celebrated on March 3, is a once a year event during which little girls learn the importance of gentility and thoughtfulness, qualities they would need to become good wives and mothers in traditional Japanese society. A major feature of this celebration is the display of Hina Ningyo, special dolls representing aspects of the royal court during the Heian period (795-1185), usually arranged on a five- or seven-tiered stand that is covered with a celebratory red cloth and placed in the best room of the house.

Both JAL and ANA celebrated Hina Matsuri today with “Hina Matsuri Flights”, by running domestic flights, operated mostly by female ground staff, attendants, mechanics and co-pilots (unfortunately both airlines have yet to have any female pilots promoted to the rank of captain but will soon see one in years to come). At Tokyo Haneda Airport, today JAL1605 bound for Kumamoto and ANA193 bound for Oita were designated to be operated by female staff members. The team of solely female staff from both ANA and JAL, demonstrated each own roles and professions, and their contribution in this much-focused airlines industry.

The two airlines introduced Hina Matsuri flights last year with the intention to highlight the role of women in the airline industry. where most positions available to women were cabin attendants or check-in staff. This has changed and both airlines have began hiring female mechanics, cargo handlers as well as pilots in recent years.

David Brett, President Amadeus Asian Pacific (Amadeus) told the Travel Vision News on February 17 that Amadeus endeavors to become a global leader in technology and distribution solutions, always providing the future-oriented technology to the travel industry. When asked about its business performance in the Japan market, he said, “We, Amadeus, are constantly expanding our market share.” “We are not necessarily striving for the market share, but we would definitely like to address the role Amadeus can play in the industry” Joining forces with travel agencies and airlines to develop products, Amadeus would “build a travel industry of the future,” said Brett.

Commenting further on the present market environment, Brett mentioned that the entire Asian-Pacific region, mainly with the emerging markets including India and China, would regain the excellent growth level of 2007. Japan, however, is an advanced country and it may be difficult to return to its level of 2007, yet it would be accurate to say that Japan will continue to grow. Meanwhile, under these circumstances, both travel agencies and airlines are eager to take advantage of IT technology in a drive to improve the efficiency and reduce the costs as well. Amadeus would certainly like to regard this movement as a business opportunity, Brett said.

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