Press Release

(Joint release)

TOKYOJuly 24, 2012: Japan Airlines (JAL) will, from July 25, 2012, operate an aircraft bearing the logo of a unique environmental initiative called the CONTRAIL (Comprehensive Observation Network for Trace gases by an Airliner) Project. This aircraft is one of the four 777-200ERs in its fleet installed with equipment for measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs). More details of the CONTRAIL Project can be found here: http://www.cger.nies.go.jp/contrail/

Since 1993, JAL has fitted this Automatic Air Sampling equipment (ASE) onto selective aircraft. Data collected from the ASE while the passenger aircraft is in flight, provides more insights and a better understanding of the latitudinal distribution of GHGs in the upper troposphere. In 2005, JAL, the JAL Foundation, the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan’s Meteorological Research Institute, and JAMCO Corporation, together developed a new ASE and Continuous CO₂ Measuring Equipment (CME) while jointly establishing the CONTRAIL Project.

CONTRAIL is the world’s first project to gather CO₂ data continuously making use of scheduled passenger flights. Up until October last year, JAL had operated about 6,000 such flights to 55 airports worldwide, collecting over 11,500 sets of data for use in studies on this issue. The CONTRAIL data have been widely used in research activities such as those on the global carbon cycle, atmospheric transport and satellite validations.

With the addition of the CONTRAIL Project logo to one of the CME-equipped aircraft, and by means of its use on international routes originating from Tokyo (Haneda) to destinations such as Paris, San Francisco and Hong Kong, the organizations aim to raise the worldwide awareness of the goals of this project.

The CONTRAIL Project is funded by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Government of Japan, who previously certified JAL as an Eco-First company (http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201005/001541.html). JAL and NIES will continue to work closely as a team with the other three organizations to contribute to the conservation of the global environment through the observation of atmospheric GHGs.

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About Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines (JAL) is a member of the oneworld® alliance and has a network reaching more than 231 airports in 40 countries and regions together with its codeshare partners.  JAL operates a fleet of more than 200 aircraft including the revolutionary Boeing 787 Dreamliner, 737s, 767s, 777s, Embraer 170 and other regional jets. Awarded the most punctual major global airline in 2009 and 2010, JAL is committed to continue providing customers the highest levels of flight safety and supreme quality in every aspect of its service.

About JAL Foundation
JAL Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to carrying out projects which will contribute to the 'New Global Age of Aviation' in the coming century and to foster various types of international exchanges which will help create globally minded people. Its list of projects includes the biennial World Children’s Haiku Contest, supporting atmospheric observation to gather data for research into global warming, and organizing a variety of educational tours.

About the National Institute for Environmental Studies

The National Institute for Environmental Studies provides scientific guidelines based on which the Japanese government’s environmental policies are established. It conducts surveys and researches, and is the core organization representing Japan on issues relating to the global environment, prevention of pollution and the conservation of the world's natural environment.

About the Meteorological Research Institute

The Meteorological Research Institute is an associate institute of the Japan Meteorological Agency engaged in analysing and predicting meteorological, geophysical, hydrological and oceanographic phenomena, as well as developing extensive related technology.

About JAMCO Corporation

Established in 1955, JAMCO Corporation is headquartered in Tokyo with more than 1,200 employees. It specializes in the design and production of aircraft interiors, manufacturing of special aircraft components, and the maintenance of medium and small sized aircraft..

20120724 - JAL Highlights Air-Observation Jet withSpecial [CONTRAIL Project] Logo_r1.pdf