JAL Cargo Drops, ANA Sees First Growth

Japan's two largest airlines posted mixed international cargo results in September, signaling an uneven recovery. Japan Airlines volume dropped less than previously, and All Nippon Airways achieved the first growth in 11 months.

JAL, the biggest air carrier in Asia, said its international cargo volume declined for the 14th consecutive month in September on a year-on-year basis. But the pace of decline was significantly slower as it fell 14.1 percent, compared with a plunge of 23.1 percent in August.

During the first half of fiscal 2009, which started in April, JAL transported a total of 289,190 tons of cargo on international routes, down 21.2 percent from the same six-month period of last year.

JAL’s domestic cargo declined 5.9 percent in September, nearly half the 10.8 percent pace at which it fell in August. September was the sixth month in a row that domestic cargo fell. During the April-September period, JAL transported a total of 231,744 tons of cargo on domestic routes, down 8.5 percent from a year earlier.

On the other hand, ANA, Japan's second-largest air carrier, said that its international cargo volume rose for the first time in 11 months in September on a year-on-year basis, increasing 3.7 percent to 31,678 tons.

During the first half of fiscal 2009, ANA transported a total of 171,246 tons of cargo on international routes, down 6.2 percent from the same six-month period of last year.

ANA's domestic cargo volume fell for two months in succession in September on a year-on-year basis, dropping 4.5 percent to 38,043 tons. During the April-September period, ANA transported a total of 223,369 tons of cargo on domestic routes, down 3.1 percent from a year earlier.

Contact Hisane Masaki at yiu45535@nifty.com.