21-Aug-2012 4:20 PM
JAL revises network/fleet plans for FY2012, 787s to service Helsinki, San Diego, Beijing, Singapore
Japan Airlines (JAL) announced (21-Aug-2012) revisions to its route, flight frequency and fleet plans for the remaining fiscal year 2012 (12 months ended 31-Mar-2013), highlighted by the launch of two new routes using Boeing 787-8 equipment and also the deployment of 787 equipment on existing routes to raise service levels and profitability - see Route Changes Table for more information. Details include:
- International network:
- San Diego: As previously announced, the 787-8 will be used to inaugurate the first and only non-stop service between San Diego (US) and Asia with four times weekly service from Tokyo Narita from Dec-2012, increasing to daily from Mar-2013;
- Helsinki: 787 aircraft will also be used on four times Tokyo Narita-Helsinki service from Mar-2013, increasing to daily from mid 1HFY2013;
- Singapore: The 787-8 will be used for the additional daily service between Narita and Singapore from 28-Oct-2012, increasing weekly service to Singapore from 14 to 21;
- New Delhi: JAL will increase flight frequency to New Delhi from five to seven times weekly, while also upsizing the aircraft used on the route to 777-200ERs;
- China/Taiwan: The 787-7 is scheduled to be placed back in service on Tokyo Haneda-Beijing sector from 16-Sep-2012 after a temporary switch to current 767-300ER. Meanwhile, to more closely align supply with demand, adjustments are also made to the aircraft assignments for other services to/from China and Taiwan. As part of this, the carrier is changing from 737-800 to 767-300ER aircraft on service from Tokyo Narita to Beijing and Shanghai Pudong and from Chubu to Shanghai Pudong from 28-Oct-2012. Aircraft will change from 767-300ER to 737-800 aircraft on Tokyo Narita-Taipei Taoyuan sector from 28-Oct-2012;
- Domestic: Flight frequencies on certain routes will be modified to match demand and the changes in travel patterns of customers influenced in part by the change in seasons. Routes which will see frequency increases are Tokyo Haneda-Izumo, Tokyo Haneda-Sapporo, Sapporo-Sendai and Fukuoka-Miyazaki, while reductions will be seen on Fukuoka-Okinawa Naha and Fukuoka-Kagoshima sectors. Additionally, current services between Tokyo Haneda, as well as Osaka Kansai and Ishigaki will become non-stop both ways after the official opening of the New Ishigaki Airport. [more - original PR]