Japan Airlines Corp has started studying safety measures jointly with its four labor unions after problems involving its flights such as a plane starting to head down a runway without permission at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido in February, JAL officials said on March 24.

JAL and the four trade unions have set up a flight safety working group to determine the causes of the incidents and develop preventive measures, the officials said.

It is the first time the JAL management and unions, which often conflict over wages and working conditions, have made a joint organization for safety.

The working group has proceeded with discussion since an incident at Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture on March 4, in which a JAL flight crossed the runway contrary to instructions to stay off the runway, and plans to soon compile a report.

The working group was set up on the request of the management, which sought to gather more voices from pilots, crew and engineers.

The management asked the unions to have their representatives participate in the working group and the unions agreed with the offer, the officials said.