Summary

  • Japan Airlines faced string of incidents in the last 7 months, including major A350 collision with coast guard aircraft.
  • Japanese transport ministry conducted surprise inspection to ensure highest safety standards in aviation operations.
  • Recent incidents like minor aircraft collision and runway crossing prompted ministry to review pilot-air traffic control communication.

Earlier today, Japan’s transport ministry carried out an emergency inspection of Japan Airlines’ facilities. The inspection was because of a string of incidents that have occurred in the last seven months.

Surprise inspection

Safety in aviation is of the utmost importance, regardless of the country. Upholding the highest standards is crucial from aircraft design to manufacturing, operating, and maintenance. Today’s inspection by the Japanese transport ministry aimed to do just that.

In the past seven months, Japan Airlines has had a string of incidents, the most famous being the Airbus A350 collision with a coast guard aircraft. The A350 was landing at Haneda Airport in Tokyo when the collision occurred, taking the lives of five of the six crew members of the coast guard aircraft.

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Early today, the transport ministry was onsite at Japan Airlines’ (JAL) facilities to conduct an emergency inspection. The inspection, which took place at the airline’s facilities located near the airport, focused on daily flight operations from the corporate level. It also investigated the airline’s safety management practices.

Japan Airlines aircraft tails

Photo: Wunlop_Worldpix_Exposure | Shutterstock

According to Kyodo News, four officials carried out the investigation involving hearings with airline staff. If anything is out of place, the ministry will instruct the airline on what needs to be changed. At a press conference, transport minister Tetsuo Saito said,

“We take this matter very seriously and will work hard to restore confidence in aviation.”

Today’s inspection was the first unannounced inspection at JAL since February. Other planned inspections have been carried out this year.

Recent incidents

Yesterday, two Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900s were involved in a minor collision at Haneda Airport. The incident, which involved the left wingtip of one plane colliding with the right wingtip of the other, occurred around 07:30. Though no one was injured, the airline canceled the flight to New Chitose Airport, which was due to be operated by the aircraft that caused the collision.

The collision took place while one plane was being pushed back from its gate and the other was pulling into position at the next gate. The plane that was pulling into its gate did not have any passengers onboard, but Japan Airlines delayed the flight to swap the aircraft.

Japan Airlines / Airbus A350-941 / JA13XJ (S/N 538) / JAL517 / Tokyo Int'l - Haneda (RJTT/HND) / 17.Dec.2023 - 4x6
Photo: Toshi Aoki – JP Spotters | Flickr

One week ago, at Fukuoka Airport, a Japan Airlines plane crossed a line it should not have. The line was crossed to a runway where another aircraft was in its takeoff procedure, but air traffic control noticed and told both planes to make emergency stops. No one was injured in this incident.

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After the incident, Japan’s transport ministry said there may have been a misunderstanding. The Japan Airlines pilots had been told to hold short of the runway, but it is possible they did not understand the instructions from air traffic control. To determine how it happened, the ministry will review the recordings of the contact between the pilots and air traffic control.

The airline issued the following statement following the incident,

“We apologize for causing concerns. We will analyze the cause of the incident, including communications with air traffic control, under the guidance of the transport ministry and work to prevent a recurrence.”


  • Japan-Airlines-Q1-Loss-Falls

    Japan Airlines

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    JL/JAL

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    Tokyo Haneda Airport, Tokyo Narita Airport

    Year Founded:
    1951

    Alliance:
    oneworld

    CEO:
    Yuji Akasaka

    Country:
    Japan

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