When flames rose from outside the window and smoke started to fill the cabin, the possibility of death flickered across the minds of many of the 367 passengers on Japan Airlines' flight 516, who all escaped a near-fatal catastrophe.
TOKYO — As smoke filled the cabin of Japan Airlines Flight 516 after its fiery landing in Tokyo on Tuesday, the sound of a child’s voice rose above the din of confusion onboard. “Please, let us off quickly!” the child pleaded, using a polite form of Japanese despite the fear washing over the passengers as flight attendants began shouting instructions. In the minutes that followed, even as the flames that would eventually engulf the JAL plane flickered outside the windows, order held. The attenda
Two regional airlines battered hard by the pandemic will merge next year to shed billions of yen in annual costs, but will maintain separate business operations to hold onto key flight slots to Tokyo.
The move by Sapporo-based Airdo Co. and Miyazaki-based Solaseed Air Inc., announced on May 31, is intended to cut costs through joint procurement of fuel and supplies, as well as through streamlining back-office operations, including human resources and financial affairs.
They aim to slash 3 billion yen ($27 million) to 5 billion yen in annual costs within four to five years after the merger, which is planned to take place in October 2022.