JAL to Withdraw From 3 Domestic Routes Linking Kyushu Region

By Kyodo News International, Tokyo

Jan. 13–TOKYO — Japan Airlines Corp. is considering withdrawing from three domestic routes linking Japan’s southernmost main island of Kyushu and largest main island of Honshu after April as part of a large-scale flight realignment, informed sources said Saturday.

The three routes link airports between Fukuoka and Aomori, Fukuoka and Hanamaki, and Centrair Airport close to Nagoya and Nagasaki, the sources said. Aomori and Hanamaki airports are located in northeastern Japan.

JAL is considering withdrawing a total about 10 domestic routes in fiscal 2007, including those between Kobe and Kumamoto, Sapporo and Misawa, and Kitakyushu and Nagoya.

The routes to be discontinued will be included in the airline’s restructuring program to be announced Feb. 6.

The troubled airline has been under strong pressure to cut operating costs.

The core aviation business of Japan’s top airliner posted an operating loss of 3.4 billion yen in the six months through September 2006 due to soaring fuel costs and flight trouble that turned many prospective customers away.

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