Japan Airlines targets fuel savings of $31 million

Japan Airlines (JAL) said it will target ¥3 billion (US$31.51 million) in aviation fuel savings during the current fiscal year ending March 2010. Its goals are in line with a bid to further drive down operational costs, the company said. The target was announced shortly after the company posted a net loss of ¥63.1 billion (US$662.78 million) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009. Fuel costs savings are just one of a number of cost-cutting measures the airline is planning to implement. It plans to achieve the savings through reduced fuel consumption by means of optimal flight operations, lightening aircraft weight and improving fuel efficiency. JAL also projected a second straight year of losses, estimated at ¥63 billion (US$661.73 million). (May 12, 2009)