Early retiring Japan Airlines pilots could reshape Japan’s airline industry

Every setback opens new opportunities. The early retirement of a substantial number of Japan Airlines' (JAL) pilots this year under the airline's restructuring plan could change the landscape of the air transport industry in Japan. Japanese cockpit crew have always been in short supply and many carriers have had to hire non-Japanese crew on contracts. This was especially the case for the "newcomer" airlines that have started flying in Japan in the past 12 years or so. It has been a major barrier to entry.