Japan Airlines Aims To Restore Confidence After Regulatory Probe

Japan Airlines is working to restore confidence following several incidents that have prompted a regulatory audit by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT). The audit began on May 24, 2024, and has led to heightened scrutiny of the airline's operations.

A Japan Airlines (JAL) official emphasized that the airline takes these incidents and the MLIT’s emergency probe very seriously, initiating company-wide efforts to regain trust. Officials from the MLIT visited JAL’s offices at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) following an on-ground collision of two Airbus A350-900 aircraft on May 23. While there were no injuries, one aircraft, registered as JA02XJ, sustained significant damage and remains at HND. The other aircraft, JA09XJ, suffered minor damage and was stationary at the time of the collision.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern. On April 24, JAL canceled flight JL11 from Dallas Fort Worth to HND due to disruptive behavior by the flight’s captain. The Boeing 777-300ER involved had to be ferried back to Japan under a special flight code. Additionally, on February 6, a JAL Boeing 787-8 overshot the taxiway at San Diego International Airport, causing a Delta Air Lines Airbus A220-300 to initiate a go-around. This prompted another MLIT visit to JAL’s offices.

The most serious incident occurred in January, when a JAL Airbus A350-900 collided with a Japanese Coast Guard’s Dash 8 Q300 at HND. All 379 occupants of the JAL flight evacuated safely, but five people aboard the Coast Guard aircraft died. The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) is still investigating this incident.

Japan Airlines is facing significant challenges in restoring its reputation. The airline's leadership is focused on enhancing safety protocols and rebuilding passenger trust. With increased regulatory oversight, JAL is committed to addressing the issues that led to these incidents and ensuring the highest standards of safety in the future.