JAL, rail operator JR East plan partnership to streamline air-rail bookings
Japan Airlines is in talks with rail operator JR East to integrate their booking processes to enable air-rail ticketing.
The two companies have set up a working group to explore options, Nikkei Asia reports.
It comes as the Japanese government looks to boost tourism numbers to the regions.
JAL and JR East are initially working on travel packages aimed at foreign tourists by air and bullet train.
This would cover the region from Honshu to southern Hokkaido.
JAL is aiming to increase the number of foreign visitors using its domestic network, which is currently just 3%.
It hopes to increase this to 10% by 2028.
JAL and JR East are working towards an integration of combined air and rail ticketing by 2029.
This would enable travellers to book combined flight and train journeys on a single reservation.
The companies already partner on some cargo operations.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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