Japan Airlines (JAL), undergoing state-backed restructuring, has almost entirely put on hold its training program for 151 future pilots, keeping some trainees at home on standby since last December, JAL sources said on June 3.The airline is concerned about overstaffing stemming from the planned curtailment of its flight network, the sources said, adding that the carrier said the training could be suspended for up to two years.

JAL recruits university graduates to its four-year pilot training program. During that period, they are sent to the United States for flight training after undergoing initial ground training and lectures in Japan. On returning to Japan, they undergo further flight training before being promoted to first officer.

According to JAL, some trainees who were to have been sent to the United States have been put on hold since December. The company filed for rehabilitation procedures with a court in January.

From April, training has been discontinued except for flight training currently in progress.

JAL has 342 people on its training program. Of these, 86 are undergoing ground training, 151 have completed ground training but have had their flight training suspended, while 105 are undergoing flight training, according to the company.

JAL plans to scrap a total of 45 domestic and international routes from September 2010 through March 2011, and does not plan any major route increases for some time.