Inspects JAL Offices After More High-Profile Incidents

It's not often that a high-ranking Japanese government official personally goes on an inspection tour. But that's just what happened Monday, when the Transport Ministry's aviation chief paid a call on Japan Airlines in Tokyo.

As ANN reported in real-time earlier this month, the Japanese government is leaning on JAL after a flurry of mistakes on flights from South Korea to Narita. That prompted a stern warning from aviation officials -- what the Transport Ministry called an "operational correction." JAL's CEO retired early in response.

But even since the unusual -- some would say "dire" -- ministry warning, problems have continued at JAL over the past ten days. Issues included take-offs without clearance, aircraft parts missing in-flight and flight crew mistakes, according to ministry officials.

"This time around, we see serious problems in ensuring safety as a spate of mistakes occurred," said a transport ministry official, quoted by Asahi Shimbun.

On Monday, Teiji Iwasaki, the Civil Aviation Bureau's director-general, toured JAL's dispatch room, flight control office and other parts of the airline's headquarters. Other ministry officials conducted a snap inspection of JAL's facilities at Narita Airport on Monday as well.

"We will take the director-general's inspection seriously and will make the best of what was pointed out to try and ensure safe flights," said Katsuo Haneda, JAL International president, also quoted by Asahi Shimbun.

FMI: www.jal.co.jp/en