JAL, Skymark presidents give unsworn Diet testimony

Skymark Airlines Co. President Shinichi Nishikubo and outgoing Japan Airlines Corp. chief Toshiyuki Shinmachi apologized to the Diet during unsworn testimony Tuesday over their airlines' safety problems.

Testifying as unsworn witnesses at the House of Representatives' Committee on Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Nishikubo and Shinmachi participated in intensive talks on the recent flight problems involving JAL, the nation's flagship carrier, and struggling discount carrier Skymark.

Asked about his basic stance as an airline president, Nishikubo said, "Safety is of course required, but at the same time (we) have to secure robust profit."

The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry launched a special inspection into Skymark in March after it was found to have flown a plane nine months past its repair deadline.

Nishikubo said he was ashamed of the troubles and that Skymark was not perfect.

Transport minister Kazuo Kitagawa said he wants Skymark to "fully take note of the role, importance and mission as a public transportation service provider."

Shinmachi of JAL offered a "deep apology to people for causing trouble."

He also said he was sorry the internal feud between Shinmachi and four executive officials of JAL group firms, which he described as "an exchange of views over management" but the media described as a revolt, had been widely reported.

JAL President-designate Haruka Nishimatsu, who will take over Shinmachi's post in June, was also summoned to give unsworn testimony, along with two JAL directors in charge of maintenance.

Nishimatsu said JAL, which was founded in 1998, cannot restore travelers' trust and improve unless it can ensure safety.