Japan Airlines to expand budget carrier's fleet after 2020 launch: Director

Japan Airlines hopes to expand the fleet of a new LCC by 2 jets a year after it launches in mid-2020, a director of the airline said Monday, as it takes on rival ANA's budget arm Peach. "In the case of Japan Airlines we can introduce 5 or 6 aircraft a year based on our size. Maybe 2 aircraft a year is very challenging for a new airline but we hope they can expand at that kind of pace," said JAL director Masaru Onishi. The new airline, which will offer medium and long-haul flights, will be designed to cater to a broad group of Japanese and foreign passengers and will take a more experimental approach to its product than the full-service parent carrier, Onishi, a former chairman of JAL, said. The yet-to-be-named carrier will offer a mix of budget and premium options for meals and seats, depending on what passengers are willing to pay. <br/>