JAL cargo plummets
11 / 08 / 2011
THE effects from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March this year have cut Japan Airlines (JAL) cargo demand in half.
Fiscal first quarter 2011 results show JAL cargo capacity has been decreasing since last year with a subsequent reduction in volumes carried. In terms of revenue cargo ton-kilometre, demand this first quarter versus the first quarter last year fell 53.9 per cent, with operating revenues of 13.8 billion yen (US$180 million).
There was a rise in transportation needs for emergency relief items such as batteries, water, as well as automotive parts and tobacco after the natural disaster on March 11 this year, amidst generally lower airfreight demand, JAL noted.
JAL has been focusing on expanding high-value cargo services, in particular the transportation of temperature-sensitive freight with special temperature-controlled containers, and leveraging the internationalisation of Haneda airport to boost air cargo transportation to and from local regions.
