Fraction too much friction

Politics at the heart of JAL, ANA competition

Not Happy Mr Abe! That was the message from Japan Airlines (JAL) chief executive Yoshiharu Ueki to the country’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in what has developed into an unprecedented spat between the national carrier and the politicians and regulators with which it has traditionally shared a more than cordial relationship.

Indeed, in conservative Japan, where airlines historically bow to political wishes, “not happy” is an understatement. JAL is furious. So angry it is “reserving the right” to sue the government. The bone of contention is something that to Japanese airlines is a pure platinum asset, landing slots at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Each one is estimated to be worth around $20 million a year in operating profit.