Retail News CRM

Tag: Japan Airlines

  • Japan Airlines Enhances Liver Function Checks and Suspends High-Risk Pilots Amid Drinking Incidents

    Japan Airlines Enhances Liver Function Checks and Suspends High-Risk Pilots Amid Drinking Incidents

    Following a string of concerning incidents involving pilots and alcohol consumption, Japan Airlines is revamping its safety protocols by introducing stricter measures aimed at safeguarding passengers and restoring public confidence in air travel.

    This week, the airline announced new regulations in response to a reprimand from the Transport Ministry, which mandated improvements in their safety procedures. Among the most significant changes is the suspension of pilots whose liver functions fall below acceptable levels, part of an initiative to prevent future violations.

    As a direct consequence of this review, six pilots have been suspended, as reported by Kyodo News. These measures come in the aftermath of several high-profile incidents where pilots were found drinking before flights, blatantly defying an internal ban instituted last December. Recent events have raised alarms, most notably a case where a pilot consumed alcohol prior to a flight from Hawaii, leading to delays impacting three flights for up to 18 hours, according to the Japan Times.

    This particular incident highlighted a troubling pattern; the pilot, already in hot water, had previously disregarded the no-drinking policy and even tampered with the settings of a sobriety testing device. Japan Airlines responded swiftly, dismissing the offending pilot and implementing pay cuts for the airline’s president and several executives.

    Despite the December ban designed to curb such behaviors, communication lapses within the company have allowed these issues to persist, according to Nikkei Asia. Pilots at Japan Airlines typically earn around 20.05 million yen (approximately US$135,000) annually, standing in stark contrast to the significantly lower salaries of ground staff and cabin crew, which average 6.43 million yen and 5.92 million yen, respectively.

    Interestingly, some pilots argue that moderate drinking provides a necessary release after grueling long-haul flights compounded by the stress of busy schedules as travel demand surges. Japan Airlines, acknowledging its past failures in enforcing the drinking ban, has committed to collaborating with labor representatives to explore more effective safety measures moving forward.

    Questions & Answers

    What prompted Japan Airlines to implement stricter safety measures?
    The airline was mandated to enhance its safety protocols following a reprimand from the Transport Ministry in light of several drinking incidents involving pilots.

    How many pilots have been suspended due to these incidents?
    Six pilots have already faced suspensions as a direct result of the airline’s new safety regulations.

    What are some of the challenges Japan Airlines faces regarding pilot behavior?
    Despite having a drinking ban in place, some pilots have disregarded it, with communication gaps within the company contributing to ongoing issues related to alcohol consumption before flights.

  • Former Japan Airlines leader to chair Bamboo Airways

    Former Japan Airlines leader to chair Bamboo Airways

    Oshima Hideki, the former chairman of Japan Airlines, has been appointed chairman of Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways for the 2023-2028 period.

    He is among seven new directors of the airline, according to decisions made at the company’s general meeting on Wednesday.

    Hideki has nearly 40 years of experience in the aviation industry.

    He was previously Deputy General Director of Japan Airlines, Deputy General Director of the Tokyo Narita Airport, and a Project Manager at Haneda Airport.

    Bamboo Airways’ new deputy chairmen are Nguyen Ngoc Trong, Doan Huu Doan and Phan Dinh Tue. The other members of the board of directors are Le Ba Nguyen, Le Thai Sam and Tran Hoa Binh.

    A new board of supervisors, comprised of three members, has also been appointed.

    Bamboo Airways plans to operate 30-36 aircraft by the end of this year, aiming for an occupancy rate of 81.5% and an on-time flight ratio of 90%.

    The carrier is targeting a revenue increase of 15-20% from last year’s VND11.73 trillion ($498.94 million). It also wants to expand its network in Europe, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia.

    Bamboo Airways is building an aviation ecosystem for itself by establishing subsidiaries for transportation, ground services, aviation technology and food services.

    Lees ook:

  • Japan eases blanket ban on new incoming flights

    Japan eases blanket ban on new incoming flights

    Japan has softened its suspension of all new incoming flight bookings to make it easier for citizens to return, the government said Thursday, a day after it announced the move prompted by worries about the Omicron coronavirus variant.

    The transport ministry abruptly said Wednesday it was asking airlines to stop taking all new incoming flight reservations for a month, in a surprise move affecting citizens and foreign residents.

    But on Thursday, government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno said it would be amended.

    “This request caused confusion among those affected and so the prime minister instructed the transport ministry to examine the issue and consider the needs of Japanese citizens hoping to return home,” he told reporters.

    As a result, the ministry “asked airlines to cancel the blanket suspension of new reservations for international flights to accommodate Japanese hoping to return home”, he added.

    Japan has had tight border restrictions throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, barring almost all foreign arrivals.

    It had begun to ease those rules slightly last month to allow some students and business travelers entry, but reversed that decision after the emergence of the Omicron variant.

    It has also barred all non-citizens from entering the country if they are coming from 10 southern African countries.

    All arrivals in Japan must quarantine for 14 days at home, with people coming from dozens of locations required to spend between three and 10 days of that two-week period in designated facilities.

    Lees ook:

  • A Japanese First: Japan Airlines to Offer Complimentary COVID-19 Coverage for International Passengers

    A Japanese First: Japan Airlines to Offer Complimentary COVID-19 Coverage for International Passengers

    Japan Airlines (JAL) today announced that the carrier will provide a new service called JAL Covid-19 Cover, as part of its JAL FlySafe program to provide reassurance and support to passengers with essential travel needs during the global pandemic. The new service provided by Allianz Travel—the first of its kind for a Japanese carrier—includes coverage of up to €150,000 in total medical costs resulting from the initial COVID-19 testing fee and subsequent medical treatment for those that test positive during their travels.

    Additional coverage for isolation costs and repatriation is also included for those requiring such after a positive diagnosis. A global 24-hour support line in English and Japanese will also be available to assist customers exhibiting symptoms, providing further peace of mind throughout their journey. Services related to the coverage will be offered from December 23, 2020.

    “As international flights gradually return to service, the JAL Group has implemented key measures against COVID-19 to provide customers a safe and secure travel experience. While it may take time to welcome back customers on a global scale, we hope this coverage with Allianz Travel will provide reassurance to those that need to travel today,” said Hideo Ninomiya, Managing Executive Officer of Passenger Sales, Japan Airlines.

    “AWP Japan is very proud to support JAL in this service. Our assistance teams will help provide peace of mind to JAL’s passengers in these challenging times. Allianz Travel is the specialized travel-related insurance and services brand from Allianz Partners, and we will leverage our vast experience in emergency assistance to travelers and our global medical network to support passengers affected by COVID-19,” said Patricia Moon, CEO of AWP Japan Co., Ltd., member of the Allianz Partners Group.

    The JAL Group has implemented key measures against COVID-19 at the airport and throughout the travel experience. For details on the JAL FlySafe initiative, click here.

    Lees ook:

  • Japan Airlines accelerates its retail transformationthrough NDC with Amadeus

    Japan Airlines accelerates its retail transformationthrough NDC with Amadeus

    Japan Airlines (JAL) is powering its ongoing retail transformation following the recent move by the airline to deepen its strategic distribution partnership, with Amadeus becoming the airline’s recommended distribution partner for travel agents in Japan.

    The implementation of Amadeus Altéa NDC  will be helping JAL enhance the retailing and servicing of its offers across channels, ensuring consistent brand delivery at scale.

    JAL will be integrating its NDC contents into the Amadeus Travel Platform for distribution using Amadeus NDC Connect, which is a solution specifically designed for Altéa airlines to make their NDC content seamlessly available for travel sellers worldwide.

    For Amadeus travel sellers this means that JAL’s NDC content will soon be available through the Amadeus Travel Platform through an NDC connectivity, ensuring operational continuity and access to a wide range of JAL’s content.

    “New technology such as NDC will enrich our customers’ experience and support the long-term digital transformation strategy of JAL. We are aiming to differentiate our travel offers based on value rather than just price,” says Yoriyuki Kashiwagi, Executive Officer, Managing Division Passenger Sales, Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.

    Cyril Tetaz, Executive Vice President, Airlines, Asia Pacific, Amadeus says: “We believe that it is key for airlines to open up innovative and exciting cross-channel retailing opportunities. Airlines are on a digital transformation journey and NDC is one of the ways they can improve their retailing capabilities. By implementing Amadeus NDC connect, Japan Airlines will be able to work in an agile and simple manner to support its long-term digital innovation strategy to effectively distribute NDC.”

    JAL is to be one of the airline partners in Amadeus’ NDC [X] program – a program to bring all the NDC activities across Amadeus under one roof. Currently, 25+ travel sellers and 16 airlines are a part of the program.  Amadeus is committed to make NDC work at scale across all channels, direct and intermediated; to ensure airlines can distribute their content easily through the channels of their choosing, and that travel sellers can compare, book and service that all content side by side regardless of source.

    As part of Amadeus’ commitment to making NDC a reality, Amadeus has continually been progressing in achieving the IATA certifications on its NDC capabilities and has obtained dual Level 4 certification as both a distributor and an IT provider.

    Lees ook:

  • Vietjet and Japan Airlines to Commence Code share Ticket Sales

    Vietjet and Japan Airlines to Commence Code share Ticket Sales

    New-age airline Vietjet and Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced that both carriers` will begin sales of their codeshare flights starting Tuesday, 23 October 2018.

    This follows a formal partnership agreement between both parties in 2017, in which Vietjet and JAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding for commercial cooperation. The two airlines now offer codeshare flights on domestic destinations in Vietnam and on international flights between Vietnam and Japan.

    Applicable routes operated by Vietjet include domestic flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang; Hanoi and Da Nang; and international flights linking Kansai with Hanoi. The codeshare flights will be available for travel from 28 October 2018, while the Kansai to Hanoi route specifically commences operation on 8 November 2018.

    According to the agreement, Vietjet and JAL aims to continue expanding their codeshare routes in the near future, including other flight services between Japan and Vietnam as well as JAL’s domestic flights, and Vietjet’s domestic flights.

    Vietjet, the largest domestic airline in Vietnam, started its flight services in 2011 and now operates an expanding network all over Vietnam and Asia. Offering convenient and friendly services with reasonable fares and many other attractive add-on services, Vietjet has succeeded in creating new demands in Vietnam. As a new-age carrier, it also offers top-class service called “SkyBoss”, which has been very well received among passengers expecting quality service.

     

  • Japan Airlines and Vietjet Launch Comprehensive Partnership

    Japan Airlines and Vietjet Launch Comprehensive Partnership

    Japan Airlines (JAL) and Vietjet today reached a formal partnership agreement that offers greater customer convenience and better quality of operations and services while enhancing the corporate value of both companies.

    The two airlines have held a series of discussions on expanding their networks in response to the travel needs of people in neighboring Asian countries next to Vietnam, in addition to meeting the growing demand for air travel between Japan and destinations in Vietnam. With the rapid economic growth in Vietnam, demand for air travel between the two countries has been growing strongly. JAL is already operating daily non-stop services between Tokyo (Narita) and Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi respectively, as well as between Tokyo (Haneda) and Ho Chi Minh City.

    Vietjet, the first privately owned airline in Vietnam, began its flight services in 2011. It now operates an expanding network that covers all Vietnam and most parts of Asia. Offering convenient and friendly services with reasonable fares, Vietjet has succeeded in creating new travel demands in Vietnam. And as a new-age carrier, it has evolved to offer higher-class service “SkyBoss”, which has been very well received among passengers expecting quality service.

    As a first step, JAL and Vietjet have agreed to start a code-share cooperation for all flight services between Japan and Vietnam as well as the domestic flights of both airlines. Vietjet’s domestic flights, as well as flights between Vietnam and the other Asian countries will also be included. These   add-ons are expected to create more customer convenience. The two airlines will further explore opportunities to develop partnerships in various areas, including a frequent flyer partnership, aircraft operations and maintenance as well as ground handling services and training.

    “The launch of this partnership with Vietjet represents a significant milestone for the two airlines to provide customers with better access to destinations between Japan and Vietnam and beyond, and we believe it will contribute to generate more passenger and cargo traffic between the two countries and open up commercial opportunities on the two airlines’ international networks,” said Tadashi Fujita, JAL Executive Vice President.

    Luu Duc Khanh, Managing Director of Vietjet, said: “Through the agreement signed with JAL today, Vietjet once again affirms the airline’s commitment to innovation, leading market trends, and offering new services following the global integration and international standards. Japan is our key market as we expand the airline’s flight network in the Asia-Pacific region. The partnership between Vietjet and JAL will diversify our air transportation products and the market segment while stimulating the movement of people between the two countries as well as developing the two airlines’ relationship in line with our international commercial operation capabilities in the coming time.”

    More details will be announced at a later date on both airlines’ websites.

    Together with Vietjet, JAL will be striving to deliver greater conveniences and variety of choices to customers with a more comprehensive network in Asia.

    Lees ook:

  • Japan Airlines to outfit B787-9 Dreamliners with new Sky Suite offering

    Japan Airlines to outfit B787-9 Dreamliners with new Sky Suite offering

    Japan Airlines is introducing a new JAL Sky Suite configuration to its B787-9 Dreamliners that is set to debut on the airline’s Tokyo Narita to Kuala Lumpur route starting at the end of July this year.

    The new configuration is part of a wider plan by Japan’s national carrier to outfit its B777-300ER/-200ER, B767-300ER and B787-8/-9 with new Sky Suite layouts, which it has been introducing on select international routes. After Kuala Lumpur, the new B787-9 Dreamliner layout will be progressively introduced onto other international services.

    The revised layout will notably be retrofitted with the fully flat JAL Sky Suite III business class seat – the same as its B777-200ER, which first began sporting the seat last June. Meanwhile the business class cabin itself will increase in capacity to 52 seats compared to the 44 with the aircraft’s current layout.

    The JAL Sky Suite III seats are laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration (the current layout has seats 2-2-2), providing all passengers with direct aisle access – and offer a maximum bed length of about 78 inches, a width of 21 inches (which can be increased to 29 inches with the armrest is stowed), and a width of 20 inches. Additional features include a 17-inch monitor, a retractable privacy partition, a universal power outlet and a USB port.

    Premium economy and economy class, meanwhile, won’t see a capacity change – a notable detail as it means Japan Airlines will be retaining its eight-across configuration in economy. Industry norm is for the B787-9 Dreamliner to be configured with nine-across seating, and Japan Airlines claims it is the only airline to offer eight-abreast in economy on the aircraft.

    Seating in premium economy will be the JAL Sky Premium (35 seats in a 2-3-2 layout), which offer about 42 inches of pitch and 19 inches of width. Dividers, a 12.1-inch monitor (10.6 inches for bulkhead seats), a universal power outlet and USB port also feature.

    Meanwhile economy class sports the airline’s JAL Sky Wider II seats, which have a pitch of about 33 inches and – due to the eight-across layout – a width of around 19 inches. Seats also have a universal power outlet, USB port and 10.6-inch monitor.

    The seating isn’t all that will be changing, though. A new “Magic-VI” in-flight entertainment system with some 300 films will be available, as will in-flight wifi.

  • Japan Airlines to launch NYC-Tokyo Haneda flights

    Japan Airlines to launch NYC-Tokyo Haneda flights

    Japan Airlines will add nonstop service between New York JFK and Tokyo’s close-to-downtown Haneda Airport, the carrier announced Thursday.

    The new route – which will be in addition to JAL’s existing service between JFK and Tokyo’s more-distant Narita airport – will launch April 1. The airline will fly one daily round-trip flight on the route using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

    Narita is Tokyo’s primary international gateway while Haneda’s route map is more heavily tilted toward regional flights. For many travelers, Haneda is the preferred Tokyo airport because of its proximity to the city.

    Japan Airlines returns to Dallas/Fort Worth after 14-year absence. In announcing the Haneda-JFK route, JAL said the service “is being offered to enhance customer convenience and to provide greater access to and from Japan-domestic connecting flights at Haneda Airport.”

    JAL was able to add the route at slot-controlled Haneda airport by freeing up slots from another route. To make that happen, JAL’s Honolulu-Haneda route will be shifted to Narita, according to the airline.

    Meanwhile, JAL also said it would expand capacity on its existing flights between New York JFK and Tokyo Narita. The airline will do that by switching to 244-seat Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, providing an 83-seat boost from the 161-seat Boeing 787-8 “Dreamliner” the carrier currently flies on the route.

    The switch to the 777-300ER also will allow JAL to offer a first-class product between JFK and Narita. The airline’s 777-300ERs seat eight in first class, 49 in business class, 40 in premium economy and 147 in standard coach. JAL’s 787-8s are configured with 38 business class seats, but they do not have a first-class cabin. The 787-8s also seat 35 in premium economy and 88 in standard coach.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: