Japan Airlines has a positive May, but much work to do
Japan Airlines reported its first increase in passenger traffic on international routes in eight months in May-2010, with numbers rising 1.6% to 795,927. The carrier, which is undergoing a comprehensive rehabilitation process, stated domestic passenger numbers also rose, by 0.9% to 3.07 million. Traffic last year was affected by the influenza outbreak.
- Japan Airlines (JAL) reported its first increase in passenger traffic on international routes in eight months in May 2010, with numbers rising by 1.6% to 795,927.
- Domestic passenger numbers for JAL also rose by 0.9% to 3.07 million in May 2010.
- The carrier attributed the growth in international passenger traffic to higher business travel demand and increased traffic on Japan-China routes, driven by the Shanghai Expo.
- JAL experienced a significant gain in traffic on Pacific routes, with a 15.9% increase, mainly due to a rise in the number of tourists to Hawaii.
- However, JAL reported a decline in passenger numbers on routes to Europe, Southeast Asia, Guam, and Korea.
- Despite the growth in passenger numbers, both international and domestic passenger load factors for JAL remained relatively low, at 70.8% and 59.9% respectively, compared to industry standards.
JAL Group international pax numbers growth, RPK growth and ASK growth: May-2009 to May-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & JAL
The carrier cited higher business travel demand and increased traffic on Japan-China routes, due to the Shanghai Expo, while Pacific routes registered a 15.9% gain as the number of tourists to Hawaii rose. JAL reported the following highlights by region:
- International: 795,927, +1.6%;
- Trans-Pacific: 198,393, +15.9%;
- Europe: 72,100, -9.7%;
- Southeast Asia: 240,771, -2%;
- Oceania: 17,531, +2.9%;
- Guam: 29,559, -17.3%;
- Korea: 105,939, -12.3%;
- China: 131,634, +16.6%;
JAL Group domestic pax numbers growth, RPK growth and ASK growth: May-2009 to May-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & JAL
International passenger load factors surged to 70.8 ppts, while domestic rose to 59.9%. These are still very low by industry standards.
JAL Group international PLF and domestic PLF: May-2009 to May-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & JAL