Third biggest airline to emerge

JAPAN Airlines will merge with Japan Air System (JAS) by late 2002. The will reportedly make JAL the third largest airline in the world after American Airlines and United Airlines. The combined airline will apparently control half of Japan's domestic market and 80% of international routes. Nevertheless, JAL is believed to be in serious trouble as its net income at US$133,5m was 61,3% below the six-month period last year. (Mark Gray)