Japanese airlines' profits recover to pre-pandemic levels

Higher unit prices drive rebound; ANA, JAL wait for more international demand

ANA and JAL saw revenues rise on the back of higher unit prices per flight. Despite the increase, both airlines -- as well as others in Asia -- are taking longer to recover than U.S. and European counterparts. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)

AKIRA KITADO, Nikkei staff writer

October 31, 2023 20:22 JST

Updated on October 31, 2023 22:57 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's two biggest airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, have seen strong rebounds from COVID-related setbacks in the first six months of their current financial years.

Net profit for ANA in the April-September period improved 4.8 times over the same period last year to 93.2 billion yen ($618.6 million), recovering to 2019 pre-COVID levels. Net profit for domestic rival JAL was 61.6 billion yen, returning to profit from a loss of 2.1 billion yen a year earlier.