Two unions representing the cockpit crew at Japan Airlines International (JALI) are striking today and possibly tomorrow, although the company expects no disruptions to today's schedules.

According to JALI, the two unions are JAL Flight Crew Union, which represents 1,100 members, and the JAL Japan Pilots Union with 600 members. The latter union could carry over to tomorrow and disrupt domestic flights. It has been 15 years since JALI has been forced to cancel a flight because of a strike.

The airline says that there will be "absolutely no impact" to its domestic or international service from the strike today. However, if the strike carries over to tomorrow, it is estimating that in the worst case scenario, its domestic services could see 38 flights cancelled, impacting 5,800 passengers with delays or cancellations. There will be no impact to its international flights.

The other airline weathering a strike is Japan Air Commuter, based on Kyushu. Its pilots are striking today, causing 86 cancelled flights affecting 1,900 passengers. No internatinoal flights are affected by the strike. For tomorrow, another 90 flights could be cancelled impacting 2,000 passengers.

Photo: Japan Airlines