Delta Air Lines’ Japanese (and Asian) dilemma

Delta Air Lines is a bull in china shop. Fresh from its takeover of Northwest Airlines and trans-Atlantic alliance with Air France-KLM, the Atlanta-based carrier is plotting a course of global domination. But the Asia Pacific region, as Boeing reminded us last week, will become the world's largest aviation market over the next 20 years and Delta has few strong local partners. Enter Japan Airlines (JAL), which just happens to be in need of fresh funds, and the new Japanese Democratic Party government keen to establish its reform credentials.