Large jetliners have flown most of the nation's domestic routes for years, but this is about to change.
Ahead of expanded capacity at domestic airports, the nation's major carriers, Japan Airlines Corp. and All Nippon Airways Co., are ready to add smaller aircraft that can flexibly meet passenger needs.
"Operating a large-aircraft fleet is effective when demand is high," but lacks flexibility when demand slackens, said Iwao Kawai, senior manager of ANA's corporate planning section.