Japan Airlines Expands Singapore Operation with 787

Japan Airlines (JAL) will be the second carrier to inaugurate passenger operations with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it finally takes delivery of its first aircraft this year. The carrier has already revealed that it will utilise the type to launch a new link between Tokyo Narita and Boston from April 22, 2012 as well as on flights from the Japanese capital to New Delhi and Moscow, replacing larger 777-200ERs on four and three flights per week, respectively.

It now appears that the Dreamliner will also be used on daily flights between Tokyo Narita and Beijing and to support an increased schedule to Singapore, a destination the airline serves from both Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita airports. JAL is expected to introduce the 787 on the daily flights to Singapore Changi from September 2012 and has revealed plans to add a second daily flight on the Tokyo Narita service from October 28, 2012.

There are currently four daily flights to Singapore from Tokyo Haneda, a market of an estimated 307,000 O&D passengers this past year and a route that was not served the previous 12 months. Alongside JAL, fellow Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has a daily service and Singapore Airlines provides a double daily option. JAL holds an approximate 27 per cent share of this market.

Meanwhile, there are currently seven daily flights to Singapore from Tokyo Narita, a market of an estimated 756,000 O&D passengers this past year, down 12.0 per cent on the previous 12 months due to the opening of the new Haneda routes. Alongside JAL, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have daily flights, while ANA and Singapore Airlines provide a double daily frequency, the latter using an Airbus A380 on one of its daily rotations. JAL holds an approximate 26 per cent share of this market.