Japan's national carrier shaping up for healthier future

A dramatic cost-cutting programme and a rise in international travel to China and India helped to boost the biggest Asian airline's fortunes.

JAL said it earned a net profit of 13.1bn yen ($121.7m; �62.6m) for the three month period, compared with a 10.8bn loss a year earlier.

Separately, the firm's chairman Toshiyuki Shinmachi said he will quit.

JAL has struggled in recent years amid rising fuel costs, costly retirement payouts and a number of safety problems that has driven passengers to its rival All Nippon Airways.

It has now dropped unprofitable routes and cut back its work force.

JAL has previously announced plans to shed 4,300 jobs by 2009.

Mr Shinmachi became chairman of JAL in 2006 when he stepped down from his position as chief executive. He said he will leave the firm at the end of March.