JAL reports stunted profits in wake of Dreamliner grounding
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Japan Airlines (JAL) has reported its yearly figures to date, with muted numbers across the board being put down to the grounding of the fleet’s Boeing Dreamliners.
The carrier, along with its national rival AMA, has the biggest invested interest in the aircraft which has recently took to the skies again for Ethiopian Airlines and AMA respectively.
The company has reported its yearly net income as JPY171.6 billion– 8% down on last year’s figures.
JAL has put the muted figures down to economic conditions and a slowdown in Japanese in exports since the change of administration in December. There have also been low cost carriers entering the Japanese market and worrying fuel prices to contend with.
However the three-month Dreamliner grounding is due to end soon, with JAL planning on flying its first commercial Boeing 787 flight on June 1 and resuming normal service thereafter. The Dreamliner will then run daily services between Tokyo and Boston and San Diego. There will also be a service between Tokyo and Helsinki.