The transport ministry said Tuesday it will set up a panel to help restructure Japan Airlines Corp.
The panel's first meeting will be Thursday and include legal and academic experts, the ministry said. Takehiko Sugiyama, president of Hitotsubashi University, will chair the group.
JAL forecast a loss of ¥63 billion for the year ending in March as demand for international air travel slumps the most since SARS and bird flu led people to shun overseas travel in 2003.
The carrier won a loan of ¥100 billion in June from the government-owned Development Bank of Japan and other Japanese lenders after announcing cost-reduction plans.
The Development Bank of Japan, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Mizuho Corporate Bank and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ will act as panel observers, the ministry said.
Fuel surcharges KYODO All Nippon Airways Co. said Tuesday it will resume fuel surcharges on international flights for two months starting in October due to a rebound in average fuel prices.
Speculation is rife that Japan Airlines Corp. will follow suit, spurring concerns whether the move will further chill travel demand battered by the global economic downturn and the swine flu scare.
The ANA surcharge will be for tickets issued between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30.