JAL Assigns Service Care-fitters at 42 Airports in Japan, Providing Better Assistance for Elderly and Physically Handicapped Travelers.

Tokyo, Japan, Feb 13, 2007 - (JCN Newswire) - To improve service for elderly and physically handicapped travelers, Japan Airlines is assigning 290 qualified caring staff at 42 airports in Japan.

The assigned staff will carry the qualification of 'Service Care-fitter', which is certified by a Japanese non-profit organization, the Nippon Care-fit Service Association. JAL has made a tie-up with the association and started training of airport staff throughout Japan in January 2006 so that they can receive this qualification.

Up to now, 290 airport staff have completed a correspondence course sponsored by the association and have spent two days of practical training to pass the Service Care-fitter Class 2 examination. These staff are being assigned to airports throughout Japan.

English-speaking staff stationed at Narita, Kansai, Nagoya (Chubu) and Fukuoka airports who have acquired the 'Service Care-fitter' qualification will be able to attend to the needs of international passengers visiting Japan.

JAL Service Care-fitters will wear JAL original Service Care-fitter badges so that customers can identify them easily if they have need of their services.

Service Care-fitters will play a central role in passing on the philosophy and skills of Service Care-fitters to other, unqualified airport staff. In FY2007 JAL will train another 50 airport staff.

This new service is in line with JAL's policy of providing safety and service quality of the highest standards, based on the Universal Design concept.

Universal design, which is related to "inclusive design" and "design for all," is an approach to the design of products, services and environments to be usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation. Its importance has been recognized by governments, business and industry.

Qualifications of Service Care-fitters

Content: Knowledgeable and skilled and hospitable in serving the aged and physically disabled when moving or using facilities

Certifying association: NPO Nippon Care-fit Service [e-mail]

Program: Study of the basic principles of hospitality and service skills through a correspondence course, with two days of practical training to qualify.

About Japan Airlines Corporation

The JAL Group (TSE: 9205) is Japan's leading air transportation group, resulting from the integration of Japan Airlines and Japan Air System on October 2, 2002. On April 1, 2004 the Group was reorganized under a single "JAL/ Japan Airlines" brand, with Japan Airlines Domestic handling domestic passenger operations and Japan Airlines International responsible for international passenger and cargo operations. JAL International and JAL Domestic were integrated into one company in October 2006, now known as JAL International. Coordinating the group is Japan Airlines Corporation, a holding company. For more information, please visit www.jal.com.

Source: Japan Airlines Corporation

Contact:

Stephen Pearlman
Public Relations Manager
Japan Airlines Corporation
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Website: www.jal.com/en/corporate/

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