On January 17, the JAL Group announced its international passenger route, flight frequency and fleet plan for fiscal year 2007, the year beginning April 1, 2007 through to March 31, 2008.

Responding to strong passenger demand, JAL will increase flight frequency on a total of 8 scheduled routes between Japan and France, the USA, and the high growth markets of China, India, Russia and Vietnam.

From May 2007, JAL will also introduce the latest state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 for the first time onto international routes to strengthen the airline's product and service competitiveness, and increase profitability.

1. International Passenger Scheduled Flight Frequency Changes

From March 25 2007, JAL will increase flight frequency between Tokyo and New York from 10 to 13 flights per week. JAL will also offer a twice-daily service between Tokyo and Paris from June 1, 2007, when it increases flight frequency from 10 to 14 flights per week on this route.

Furthermore, JAL will increase the number of flights between Japan and the high growth markets of China, India, Russia and Vietnam. Flights between Tokyo and New Delhi will be increased from 4 to 5 flights per week from October 1, 2007. To increase cost competitiveness, operation of the route will be taken over by JALways, JAL's low overhead international airline subsidiary. The number of flights operated by JAL between Tokyo - Moscow will also be increased from 2 to 3 from the beginning of June to meet increased demand during the summer.

Out of Osaka, flight frequency will be increased on JAL's Hanoi route from May 15, 2007, and on routes serving the Chinese cities of Dalian, Hangzhou and Qinqdao from July 1, 2007. JAL will offer a daily service between Osaka - Dalian when it increases flight frequency from 3 to 7 flights per week. In the future, JAL hopes to increase flight frequency on its China routes even further.

From the point of profitability, the airline will reduce flight frequency on its Tokyo - Hong Kong route, and will not resume its 3 flight per week non-stop service between Tokyo - Zurich, operated in the past only during the summer season. Frequency will also be slightly reduced on JAL's Tokyo - Guangzhou route.

2. Introduction of Boeing 737-800 onto International Routes

JAL will introduce the latest state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 aircraft for the first time on international routes to strengthen the airline's product and service competitiveness, and increase profitability. From May 2007, JAL will operate the Boeing 737-800 on the four Osaka routes already mentioned: Osaka - Hanoi, Dalian, Hangzhou and Qingdao. Additionally, JAL will introduce the new aircraft on its Osaka - Guangzhou route from July 2007.

This more fuel-efficient, environment-friendly aircraft is fitted with a fully-fledged business class compartment. Every seat is equipped with its own personal in-flight entertainment system, and all business class seats and most economy class seats will also have an AC power supply suitable for personal computers.

3. Charter Flight Expansion

In FY2007, JAL will increase the number of charter flights it operates by approximately 13% when compared to the previous year, primarily to take advantage of the business opportunity presented by the expansion of the 'silver' leisure market in Japan with the retirement of the baby boomer generation.

JAL will offer international package-holiday charter flights to a wide range of destinations, including Alaska, Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Mongolia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands.