JAL announces new frequency reduction

Japan Airlines has announced further reduction of its international network today. The earliest reduction will start on July 1 2009. According to the press release, JAL has to do this to improve profitability due to slow recovery in air travel demand.

JAL will extend the frequency reduction announced for March and June 2009 on flights to Beijing, Shanghai (Pudong), Hong Kong and Taipei. In addition to this, there will be reduction in flights from Narita to Incheon and Delhi, and Kansai to Pudong and Incheon.

If you have reserved one of the following flights, you should contact JAL reservation center to arrange for alternate flights. Below is the details of the reduction.

Tokyo (Narita) - Beijing (from 19 to 14 weekly)
JL781/782 will only operate on Tuesday and Friday between August 1 and October 24 2009

Tokyo (Narita) - Shanghai (Pudong) (from 28 to 21 weekly)
JL791/792 are cancelled between August 1 and October 24 2009

Tokyo(Narita) - Taipei (from 28 to 21 weekly)
JL647 is cancelled between July 1 and October 24 2009
JL640 is cancelled between July 2 and October 24 2009

Tokyo (Narita) - Seoul (Incheon) (from 28 to 21 weekly)
JL953/952 are cancelled between July 1 and October 24 2009

Tokyo (Narita) - New Delhi (from 4 to 3 weekly)
JL471/472 will only operate on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday between July 1 and October 24 2009

Osaka (Kansai) - Shanghai (Pudong) (from 21 to 14 weekly)
JL629 is cancelled between August 1 and October 24 2009
JL620 is cancelled between August 2 and October 24 2009

Osaka (Kansai) - Seoul (Incheon) (from 21 to 14 weekly)
JL965 is cancelled between August 1 and October 24 2009 except on September 19, 20, 22 2009
JL966 is cancelled between August 2 and October 24 2009 except on September 20, 22, 23 2009

Tokyo (Haneda) - Hong Kong (from 7 to 3 weekly)
JL8739 will operate only on Thursday, Friday and Sunday between September 1 and September 16, and between October 12 and October 24 2009
JL8730 will operate only on Monday, Friday and Saturday between September 2 and September 17, and between October 13 and October 24 2009

I wonder why JL653 with only 33 passengers onboard the other day is not on the list...

Source: JAL Press Release