Japan Airlines Corp., Asia’s largest air carrier, reported group operating revenue from international cargo increased 4 percent in the first half of fiscal 2008, which started in April, from a year earlier to 95.4 billion yen (US$979 million).
The company said in a statement, “Demand on Southeast Asia routes was strong, while demand on China routes, on which supply had been increased, rose from the year-earlier-period. On the other hand, on U.S. routes and Europe routes where we had reduced supply, demand decreased from the year-earlier-period. As a result, revenue cargo ton-kilometers decreased by 7.5 percent from the year-earlier period.”
“As a result of the accelerated retirement of classic-type Boeing 747 freighters to improve profitability, supply measured in available cargo ton kilometers decreased by 4.2 percent from the year-earlier period,” it said.
An increase in high-quality handling service and fuel surcharges helped boost income by 12.8 percent. Revenue increased by 4.3 percent to 95.4 billion yen. The company does not disclose cargo income figures.
The company lowered its full-year operating revenue forecast for cargo, made in May, by 5.5 billion ($934 million) to 187.5 billion yen ($1.9 billion).