Government decision on JAL expected this week; US/Japanese open skies talks commence

Japan's Transport Minister Seiji Maehara, Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan are expected to conclude arrangements for government support of JAL this week, with the final decision to rest with the Prime Minister (Malaysia Business Times, 28-Oct-2009).

Meanwhile, the US and Japan commenced another round of open skies talks this week, aimed liberalising the aviation market between both countries (Wall Street Journal, 28-Oct-2009).

Delta Air Lines is reportedly expected to meet with Japan Airlines next week to discuss how to proceed with its interest in the struggling carrier (Wall Street Journal, 28-Oct-2009). Meanwhile, American Airlines Chairman and CEO, Gerard Aprey, reportedly met with JAL last week, with further meetings to reportedly be conducted in the coming weeks.

All Nippon Airways Executive VP Alliances, Keisuke Okada, stated the carrier has not lodged any complaint with the Japanese Government regarding proposed state aid for JAL (Dow Jones, 27-Oct-2009).