Japan Airlines to increase job reductions: reports

Japan Airlines reportedly plans to increase the number of job reductions by the end of FY2012 to 19,300 - some 3,600 more than initially outlined in the carrier's restructuring plan (The Yomiuri Shimbun, 13-Jun-2010). The additional reductions are expected to result in approximately JPY128 billion (USD1.4 billion) in labour cost reductions by FY2012. After the latest round of reductions, JAL will have a workforce of approximately 32,600 employees, 40% fewer than prior to its bankruptcy filing. The airline also plans to accelerate its job reduction programme, with a further 16,000 reductions expected by the end of FY2010. Meanwhile, it has been reported that approximately 4,000 employees have applied for the carrier's early-retirement plan, exceeding the 2,700 applicants expected by the carrier.