Banking on its experience outfitting its own...

Banking on its experience outfitting its own on-board staff, Japan Air Lines is moving into schoolgirl fashions.

The airline will start selling school uniforms, “JAL Fils et Fille,” made in Japan but designed in France, Britain, Italy, Spain and the United States.

The uniforms, to be sold through a mail-order catalogue, are targeted at expensive private girls’ schools, although JAL will take orders for boys’ uniforms too. It’s part of a bid to expand its business through diversification.

The average price of a uniform that includes jacket, skirt and blouse will be $580. JAL expects orders from six schools worth $1 million in 1990-91. It projects $8.5 million in sales to 48 schools by 1994.

Japanese schools use unique uniform designs to attract students. About 300 of the country’s 5,220 private and public high schools plan to change uniforms this year, a JAL spokesman said.