Japan gives airlines anti-trust immunity
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
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025