TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Japan Airlines announced its consolidated results for the first three quarters covering the period from April 11 to December 31 in fiscal year 2009. The resulting net loss is 177.9 billion yen compared to the previous year’s net loss of 176.0 billion yen. Although operating expense was reduced by 19.3 percent to 1,265.6 billion yen year-on-year, operating revenue further declined by 26.6 percent to 1,144.8 billion yen, thus exceeding the rate of decline in operating expense. The international passenger business division, in particular, suffered a substantial decrease of 41.0 percent year-on-year to 336.3 billion yen in terms of operating revenue, resulting in an operating loss of 120.8 billion yen (111.9 billion yen loss in 2008) and an ordinary loss of 153.3 billion yen (127.7 billion yen loss in 2008).

The number of international passengers carried by JAL during the first three quarters declined by 8.2 percent to 8,159,881 and consequently revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) fell by 8.6 percent. However, since capacity, as measured by available seat kilometers (ASK), was reduced by 13.2 percent, its average seat load factor rose by 3.5 percentage points to 69.3 percent. Meanwhile, the number of its domestic passengers transported dipped by 11.0 percent to 28,415,288, posting a 10.8 percent decrease in terms of RPK, revenue passenger kilometers. The average seat load factor came to 59.8 percent, down by 4.9 percentage points, as ASK, available seat kilometers, were reduced by 4.5 percent.

The airline declined to comment on its future outlook as it is still formulating the rehabilitation plan.

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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