Japan Airlines to Cut 1,400 More Jobs

March 10, 2005
Japan Airlines Corp., the country's biggest carrier, said Thursday it will cut 1,400 more jobs through attrition and trim other costs to remain competitive against regional rivals.
TOKYO (AP) - Japan Airlines Corp., the country's biggest carrier, said Thursday it will cut 1,400 more jobs through attrition and trim other costs to remain competitive against regional rivals.

JAL wants to slash 75 billion yen ($721 million) in costs by the end of fiscal 2007, and eventually make annual savings of 100 billion yen ($961.54 million).

The airline said it will also focus more on high-margin routes, such as flights to China and other Asian countries, to boost its bottom line.

The Tokyo-based company announced the plans as part of a new three-year restructuring plan that will begin on April 1.

The eliminated positions come on top of earlier announced plans to cut 4,500 jobs by the end of fiscal 2006.

JAL's employees will total 37,900 by March 2008, down from 43,800 in 2001, JAL spokesman Teiji Murayama said. The reduction will be achieved by not replacing workers that leave the company.

Other cost-cutting measures include moving more maintenance to overseas locations, reducing the number of the company's board members and eliminating directors' retirement bonuses.