ANDREA LOPES – New Delhi
Japan Airlines (JAL) plans to introduce two more weekly round-trip flights on the Tokyo Narita – New Delhi sector this winter season. The service will commence on October 28, 2012. The airline currently operates five times a week service between the two cities. Yasushi Isomura, country manager – India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives, Japan Airlines revealed to Express TravelWorld that the decision was taken to accommodate the growing high yield corporate demand on this route. It may also be recalled that JAL became the first airline to introduce the Dreamliner 787 to India in May earlier this year. “Our business from India as a mid-haul market has been growing rapidly and although our main customer is the corporate market, we want to grow the leisure market to Japan.” The airline had co-operated with the Japan National Tourist Office (JNTO) last fiscal year to promote leisure travel to the country. This is also a special year for the airline in India since it celebrates 50 years of operations here and there are plans to introduce larger 777-2000ER aircraft three days a week from October 28, 2012- November 30, 2012. According to Shelly R. Egbert, GM, passenger sales, Japan Airlines, “The 777 aircraft comes with more spacious interiors and higher cabin pressure, making it a more comfortable aircraft to travel in.” JAL also holds the distinction of being one of the few airlines globally that was able to bounce back after filing for bankruptcy protection in 2010.
“We had to withdraw from unprofitable routes, reduce our company size and cut costs at every level. Our policy was to maximise revenue and minimise costs in each region of operations. It was an effort that continued for two years,” said Isomura. Further, he spoke about the airline’s distribution strategy in India, confirming that cultivating relationships with travel agents to increase revenue share was crucial to be able to penetrate the market. Asked how JAL has an edge over its domestic competitor (ANA) All Nippon Airways, Isomura said, “We have been here for 50 years, ANA is new in the market. We have struggled for a few years and we’ve put in a lot of effort to improve our cost competitiveness and service. I think we have a better understanding of the market.” In addition, JAL will launch its new non stop Tokyo – San Diego service on December 2, 2012 four times a week. “We will go to new markets if we expect profits,” said Isomura. Asked about his prediction for the aviation sector in the coming years, Isomura said that the Asian markets including India and China were coping despite the economic difficulties in Europe and the US because of their strong consumer power. “The Asian region is constantly growing and will be an engine for the aviation sector in the next few years,” he said.
