American Airlines Wants Japan Airlines to Stick with Oneworld

It now seems that American Airlines is working very hard to keep Japan Airlines in the Oneworld alliance. The Oneworld alliance is a group of airlines that work together from all over the world. American Airlines is now offering to expand cooperation and inject funds into the debt ridden carrier. Right now Japan Airlines has been trying to seek aid from the Japanese government.

During all of this, Delta Air Lines is trying to lure Japan Airlines into its own group of airlines called SkyTeam. The CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey, said that a change in alliance would be a very bad idea for Japan Airlines right now. He also noted that its Oneworld alliance was the best partner for Japan Airlines by a very wide margin. Right now current talks include possible capital or financing arrangements for the carrier, which is headed for its fourth loss in five years. He also added that if Japan Airlines was to move alliances, it would be very bad for them as well, but they do not control the decision making process.

Experts point out that both of these worldwide airline groups want access to Japan Airlines’ network in their home country, which is the world’s second largest economy and Asia’s biggest air traffic market. Gerard Arpey will be meeting with Oneworld leaders in Mexico City as Grupo Mexicana de Aviacion SA joins the Oneworld alliance.

Although it may not seem like it, whatever group that Japan Airlines chooses to go with will affect airlines from all over the world. Since these two groups of airlines represent so many big names in the airline industry, having Japan Airlines in either group would be extremely helpful.