Japan Airlines and its rival All Nippon Airways have won anti-trust immunity from the Japanese government to co-operate with their US partners on flights across the Pacific.
Japan‘s ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism approved the alliance between oneworld partners Japan Airlines and American Airlines and between All Nippon Airways and Continental Airlines.
The United States Department of Transportation has already tentatively approved the airlines’ anti-trust applications, which will allow them to offer joint flights between the US and Asia and to co-operate on fares and schedules.
Final approval is expected to follow the signing of an Open Skies agreement between the US and Japan, which is anticipated early next week.
Japan Airlines’ president Masaru Onishi said a joint business with American Airlines would "contribute to the growth and stability of both our businesses in a volatile yet indispensable industry".
By Linsey McNeill
