American Airlines says it is cutting 2% of flights from its schedule in September and October. American calls the cuts "proactive adjustments" in order to "size our airline for the resources we have available and to build additional buffer into the remainder of our summer schedule." At its hub in Philadelphia, American will cut hundreds of flights -- roughly 3% of September flights scheduled and 5% in October. Airlines have been struggling with staffing shortages, summer weather and air traffic control delays as passengers are returning to pandemic-era travel in droves. The cuts are the latest in a series by airlines in the United States to ease air traffic disruptions this summer. United Airlines cut its schedule by 12% this summer at Newark Liberty International Airport, which has been plagued by cancellations and delays. Delta Air Lines also "strategically decreased" flights this summer. American says schedule adjustments have been made "with goal of moving customers to different flights." The airline says it will contact passengers directly with "alternative travel options that get them to their destinations" with customers able to seek a full refund if the new options won't work for them.<br/>
oneworld
Japan Airlines has joined Japanese companies Mitsubishi Estate and Kanematsu Corporation in an urban air mobility project for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The project will span the current financial year, which began on 1 April, to fiscal 2024, which ends in March 2025. The consortium aims to “explore a variety of business models based on advanced air mobility in the metropolitan area”, a joint statement says. These include transportation services connecting Tokyo’s major transport hubs, airport access, as well as scenic flights to outlying islands. For the rest of the year through March 2023, the three companies will work to “identify issues and solutions associated with the implementation of advanced air mobility”. The group will also work out estimated sales and costs of potential services, as well as review target market size in Tokyo. Between April 2023 and March 2024, the consortium hopes to launch demonstration flights with helicopters within the metropolitan area. During the year, it will also build two heliports in facilities managed or owned by Mitsubishi Estate, kickstarting a feasibility study for the use of electric take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in scenic flights. <br/>