Jetstar Japan To Share Codes With JAL

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Japan Airlines Co. (9201) and Jetstar Japan announced Tuesday that they have signed a code-sharing agreement to help passengers on JAL international flights link up with the budget carrier's domestic service.

Starting March 6, JAL will offer Jetstar's domestic flights to passengers making connections at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, Osaka's Kansai International Airport and Nagoya's Central Japan International Airport. Jetstar's weight-based fees for checked baggage will not be applied to JAL passengers.

Furthermore, JAL customers will be able to use their frequent flyer miles on Jetstar's domestic flights.

Jetstar, which entered the domestic market last July, has been struggling. It hopes to attract more passengers by partnering with the larger airline.

Meanwhile, JAL aims to expand its customer base by joining hands with a low-cost carrier, a relatively new class of airline that is popular with young people. However, the tie-up is a double-edged sword. Jetstar flights are delayed or canceled more frequently than JAL's domestic flights, partly because of restrictions on when planes can take off and land at Narita airport.

(The Nikkei, Feb. 27 morning edition)

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