JAL, Hawaiian Airlines expand JV proposal
Japan Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are hoping they can secure US antitrust immunity at the second attempt with a revamped joint business proposal.
Last month the US department of transportation tentatively approved the joint venture but found it did not require antitrust immunity.
The airlines say this is a must for the venture to be successful.
The airlines have filed a new proposal which they hope will prove they can offer additional customer benefits deserving of US antitrust immunity.
The original proposal to join together for Japan-Hawaii flights is now expanded to include all Asia-Hawaii nonstop flights, as well as connections between Tokyo and Guam and across the South Pacific.
The airlines want to expand it to include JAL services to India and Russia.
"In re-evaluating the structure of the joint venture, the applicants identified two additional countries that they could serve: India and Russia," the new filing said.
JAL currently flies to New Delhi, India and is adding flight to Bengaluru and Vladivostok, Russia next year.
"Although the incremental traffic is not projected to be as significant as other connecting opportunities (such as to points within domestic Japan), any incremental traffic will increase the public interest benefits," the proposal said.
The geographic scope of the joint venture was one of the reasons the US DOT denied antitrust immunity first time around.
Hawaiian launches a new Honolulu-Fukuoka service later this month.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season