Japan Airlines (JAL) forecasts a 2.6% increase in the number of JAL Group airline passenger reservations for the Japanese "New Year" vacation period, from December 28, 2006 to January 8, 2007.

Currently, the total number of New Year JAL Group international passenger reservations is 545,850, 4% up on the same period last year.

Passenger bookings on China, Korea, Southeast Asia and Oceania routes have increased: up respectively by 29.08%, 4,6%, 13.6% and 3.5%, when compared to the same period last year.

Overall international seat capacity is 2% down on the same period last year following network restructuring, notably on transpacific routes.

The JAL Group will operate an additional 92 flights, both scheduled and charter, to such resort destinations as Guam, Hawaii, and Palau.

The forecast international seat load factor is 79.7%.

The total number of forecast domestic passenger bookings is 2.1% up on the same period last year with 1,541,091 reservations. JAL Group plans to operate an additional 34 flights to meet demand on popular domestic Japan routes such as Tokyo - Sapporo, and Tokyo - Kagoshima.

At present the domestic Japan seat load factor forecast is 65.2%.