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TOKYO: The Japanese are making the most of the strong yen to travel abroad and reap the benefits of their increased purchasing power, the president of US airline Delta said in Tokyo Thursday.
Ed Bastian said the carrier had seen an increase in passenger demand from Japan as a result of the currency's recent strength against major units.
"We are seeing significant improvement in our outbound travel because of the strength of the yen," he said at a press conference.
"Particularly... travel between Tokyo and our beach destinations; Hawaii, Guam and Saipan."
The yen recently hit a 15-year high against the dollar and a nine-year high against the euro as investors piled into the safe haven currency on fears for the global economy.
While the strong yen poses a threat to the profits of exporters, it is a boon for tourists heading to destinations where they can buy more for their money as a result.
The Delta Air Lines group, which includes SkyTeam member Northwest Airlines, has a large number of slots at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, giving it a large capacity for flights from Japan.
Bastian also said Delta is no longer in discussion with Japan Airlines over a possible alliance.
Delta and its SkyTeam partners tried to invite JAL to join their airline alliance after the Japanese carrier filed for bankruptcy in January.
But JAL, which Tuesday submitted revitalisation plans to the Tokyo District Court, decided to remain a member of the Oneworld alliance.
-AFP/wk
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