Japan Airlines will be cutting its daily Tokyo Narita-Seoul Incheon service next year as a result of increased competition from low-cost carriers (LCCs) also operating the route.

Japan’s flag carrier is set to cut flights JL959/JL954 from March 25, 2018, which it operates with a B737-800W. However, its thrice-daily service from Tokyo’s other airport, Haneda, and Seoul’s secondary international airport, Gimpo, will continue to operate.

According to a media representative from the airline, the growth of LCC flights on the route has driven down the price of seats on the route, and competition on the route is such that it has become financially unviable.

The change comes as the airline looks to expand frequency on its Tokyo Haneda-London Heathrow route. The additional service is set to launch in October using a Dreamliner.

In related news, the carrier also recently unveiled a new Sky Suite configuration for its B787-9 Dreamliners, which will see the aircraft equipped with its Sky Suite III business class seats.

jal.com