JAL’s fifth international flight, the Singapore route, celebrates its 60th anniversary. CA Changi Airport JAL Vice Chairman Okawa “I am worried about the job of CA in Singapore”-Travel Observation
On May 8, local time, Japan Airlines (JAL) held a party and commemorative ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo-Singapore route at Singapore Changi International Airport. This is JAL’s fifth longest international route.
It entered service on the same route on May 8, 1958. This route has been in operation for more than 60 years and is an international route after Honolulu, Hawaii, San Francisco, Hong Kong and Bangkok. The initial Tokyo-Singapore route will operate from Haneda Airport, and the existing Tokyo-Hong Kong-Thailand Bangkok route will be extended. At that time, the DC-6B aircraft was used.
Singapore celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, but Singapore gained independence from Malaysia in 1965. In May 1958, Singapore, where Japan Airlines began service, coincided with the restoration of British rule after the end of World War II, and it was also the time when Singapore obtained the status of the Commonwealth of Self-Governing States.
Singapore Airlines, as the flag carrier of Singapore, naturally started operations after the founding of Singapore, and 2018 marks its 50th anniversary of serving Japan. 10 years earlier than Japan Airlines opened the route. At that time, Paya Lebar Airport was also used by the Singaporean side before the opening of the current Changi International Airport.
From April 1, 1977, JAL’s Singapore route became a Haneda-Singapore direct route, using DC-8-61 aircraft, and with the opening of Narita Airport in 1978, the Japanese takeoff and landing point was transferred to Narita Airport. With the re-internationalization of Haneda Airport in October 2010, flights to and from Haneda resumed. Currently, it operates three flights a day, one in Narita and two in Haneda.
JAL Tokyo (Haneda/Narita) – Singapore Route (2018 Summer Schedule)
JL35 will: From Haneda (00:05) to Singapore (06:15), operates daily
JL37 will: From Haneda (11:30) to Singapore (17:35), operates daily
JL38 will: From Singapore (01:50) to Haneda (09:50), operates daily
JL36 is: Depart from Singapore (21:50) – Arrive in Haneda (05:50 the next day), operate daily
JL711 will: From Narita (17:55) to Singapore (00:20), operates daily
JL712 will: From Singapore (08:10) to Narita (16:20), operates daily
The equipment mainly adopts Boeing 777-200ER (SS2) with SKY SUITE specification. In December 2017, Boeing 767-300ER operated 2 flights and Boeing 777-200ER operated 1 flight. With 3 large aircraft, it is the largest route among JAL’s international routes.
Kojiro Yamashita, manager of the company’s Singapore branch, said that from December to April, the passenger load factor has not changed much compared with the average year (in other words, the number of passengers has increased), “although the annual average boarding rate in 2017 and 2018 It will not reach 90%, and continue to maintain a high boarding rate of more than 80%.” In addition, the customer base is not only Japanese, “people who transit from Japan to North America now also choose us.”
As for the future of this route that maintains a high passenger load factor, he commented, “Increasing the number of flights is the earnest wish of the Singapore branch.” Assuming that both Haneda and Narita routes have morning and afternoon flights, he said, “Such a schedule It will be convenient for customers.” To achieve this goal, we are currently working towards fruition with three larger flights.
SKY SUITE Boeing 777-200ER (SS2) used on the Haneda/Narita-Singapore route.Photo: Flight JL36 from Singapore at 21:50 on May 8
Commemorative parties such as uniform fashion show are held consecutively in Singapore base CA
A party was held to celebrate the service’s 60th anniversary, and airport officials and Japanese companies were invited.
A party celebrating the airline’s 60th anniversary of launching the service was held on May 8 at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport hotel adjacent to Singapore’s Changi International Airport.
Ms. Junko Okawa, Vice-Chairman of the JAL Board of Directors, took the stage in the organizer’s address, introducing the 50-passenger DC-6B as the first aircraft to enter service, saying: “Since then, as Singapore’s economy has grown, JAL’s business has expanded. We now carry 1,400 passengers and cargo on three flights a day.”
He also addressed the fact that JAL is currently operating with Boeing 777 aircraft of the SKY SUITE specification, saying, “I would like to continue to contribute to the mutual exchange between Japan and Singapore. For this, JAL is an attractive company , whose motto is “Japanese hospitality”. ‘We will continue to provide quality services,’ he said, promising to continue contributing to various exchanges between Japan and Singapore in the future.
After joining JAL in 1977, Mr. Okawa worked as a Cabin Attendant (CA). In 1994, I also trained 40-50 CAs in three classes at the CA Singapore base for two months. Because of this, when working on the Singapore airline, he recalled: “I was curious about the work of the Singapore crew, and it was exciting to see what kind of flying my students were doing, but I was very happy to see them play an active role. Work.” Speak.
Regarding the cabin of the Singapore route, he said: “Singaporean passengers all speak English, so we can communicate with them happily. The Singaporean crew is also very cheerful. The cabin is bright, fun and pleasant.”
Also, at the gala, an official asked, “Changi (airport) has changed, hasn’t it?” It hasn’t. It’s been a long time since my visit this time, but the modern, gorgeous and sophisticated image hasn’t changed. This is a great airport. “
By the way, JAL established a CA base in Singapore in 1988, which has a history of 30 years. Mr. Okawa said: “(Singapore’s flight attendants) should learn Japanese hospitality instead of imposing it on them. They should digest and express their individuality in their own way. If this individuality is conveyed to Singaporean customers, it will A strength. “It will be”, commented that the system with the Singapore base will be unique to JAL’s Singapore route.
At present, there are about 130 CAs in JAL’s Singapore base, of which 1 CA has the qualification of first-class flight, and 3 CAs have the qualification of supervisor (squad leader). About 15 people. At the commemorative party this time, the CAs of the Singapore base dressed in historical uniforms to welcome the guests.
Ms. Junko Okawa Vice Chairman of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
At the party, Mr. Kenji Shinoda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Japanese Embassy in Singapore, and Mr. Wong Woon Liong, Senior Advisor of Changi Airport Group, delivered speeches.
Ambassador Shinoda talked about JAL, saying that it “served before Singapore’s independence and made great contributions to Japan-Singapore exchanges”, and gave his evaluation.
In addition, the number of tourists visiting Japan from Singapore exceeded 400,000 in 2017, and further growth is expected this year. The Japanese government has set a target of 40 million tourists visiting Japan by 2020, and he noted that “JAL is certainly an important player (to achieve this goal)”. He expressed his desire to attract business and tourist customers.
Mr. Liang from Changi International Airport said that in 2017, there were 2.7 million passenger trips between Japan and Singapore, of which more than 790,000 Japanese visited Singapore, ranking ninth among international airports. He also introduced the close ties between the two countries in terms of economic and cultural exchanges. Japan ranks eighth in Singapore in terms of trade volume.
He also mentioned that the complex “JEWEL”, which is currently under construction at the airport and is scheduled to open in 2019, can be easily accessed from Terminal 1, which is used by JAL. “Hospitality” is not only on the plane, but also on the ground at Changi (International Airport),” he called for welcoming passengers with the highest level of hospitality.
Mr. Kenji Shinoda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Singapore
Mr. Huang Huanliang, Senior Advisor of Changi Airport Group
Mr. Kojiro Yamashita, General Manager of JAL Singapore Branch, delivered a speech at the ensuing toast ceremony. Talking about the network of users transiting Japan to North America, he introduced JAL’s goal of expanding its network to 500 cities in the next 10 years, including cooperation with oneworld member companies. He introduced the route via Japan to a third country as “very convenient transit for Singaporeans” and called for a comfortable and convenient service.
Mr. Kojiro Yamashita, Branch Manager of Japan Airlines Singapore Branch leads the toast
cheers
Mr. JAL Okawa (middle), Ambassador Shinoda (left) and Mr. Longlong at Changi Airport exchanging glasses
At the party, HIBIKIYA then performed a Japanese taiko drum performance. Hibikiya is a Japanese performing arts performing group based in Singapore with about 80 members.
In addition, CAs based in Singapore will wear consecutive uniforms and hold a fashion show. From the 2nd generation when it was in service to Singapore, the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, and now the 10th generation all appeared here. Finally, Mr. Okawa from CA was also invited to the stage and took a group photo.
In addition, the “JAL Scholarship Program” currently being implemented by the JAL Foundation is introduced. The purpose of this program is to invite university students from Asia and Oceania to Japan to deepen their understanding of Japan and mutual understanding between Japan and their own country through training and cultural exchanges.
Many countries in Southeast Asia are doing this, but Singapore is said to invite the most students to Japan, with 156 students in 2017. 1 person was certified in 2018, and the certificate was handed in at the venue.
Afterwards, the evening ended with a lucky draw where visitors stood a chance to win premium economy class tickets between Japan and Singapore and gift certificates that can be used at Changi International Airport shops.
Japanese taiko drum performance at Hibikiya
2 generation uniform
fourth generation uniform
fifth generation uniform
Sixth generation uniform
seventh generation uniform
ninth uniform
tenth uniform
Finally, the former CA Mr. Okawa also walked on the runway.Someone hand me a hat and smile
Mr. Tan Peng Yu who was certified by JAL Scholarship Program 2018.157th from Singapore
In 1975, when the JAL Scholarship Program was launched, 6 Singaporeans visited Japan, and Mr. Benny Lee, one of them, shared his impressions and memories of the time.
