Japanese Airlines Plan to Increase Flights to ChinaJapanese airlines plan to expand their flights to China upon the completion of the new runway of Narita Airport as they foresee a promising Chinese market.It is reported that up to now, Narita airport has registered 135,000 landings and takeoffs annually, when the new runway is put to use next spring, the number will increase to well over 200,000. Japanese airlines are expected to discuss the flights expansion plan with the Japanese government within the year. Due to the weak demand in Japan-America flights as a result of US economic slowdown, whereas China, impending its WTO entry, shows a strong market demand, so all Japanese airlines will focus on the Chinese air route. Japan will add more Japan-China flights. Apart from the current one-day-one-flight from Japan to Beijing, and Japan to Shanghai, Japan will add more daily flights on the two routes, and expand Japan to Dalian, and Japan to Qingdao flights. JAS company is now planning to open a Shanghai flight in addition to the Xi'an flight. Besides, the company will resume the Narita-Guangzhou flight from this November after it was suspended in November 1999. Due to US economic recession emerged since the second half of last year, Japan to North America flights was in a slump, with passengers reaching only 373,400 this June, a 0.8 percent drop from the same period last year. Although there were only 72,900 passengers on the Japan-China route, the figure increased by 19.7 percent over the same period of last year. Therefore, Japanese airlines will target China as a base for increasing their profits in the future. By PD Online staff member Li Yan |
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