日航CEO受访称航空联盟角色扩大，日航与大韩航空签署战略合作伙伴关系深化代码共享与货运合作

TOKYO -- The chief executive of Japan Airlines said that partnerships with international carriers, especially peers in Asia, are becoming increasingly important not only for expanding its route network but also for strengthening its global customer base.
JAL President and CEO Mitsuko Tottori said in an interview with Nikkei Asia last week that such alliances with Asian airlines will become "even more essential from now on" for the carrier in order to capture travel demand within Asia and on routes between the region and North America via Japan.
JAL and Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia started their business tie-up in April last year by launching a revenue-sharing arrangement, known technically in the aviation industry as a "joint venture," to maximize earnings on routes. The Southeast Asian carrier became JAL's latest such partner, following other major peers including British Airways and American Airlines.
Together, the two airlines operate direct flights connecting Haneda and Narita airports, which both serve Tokyo, with those in Jakarta and Denpasar on Bali in Indonesia. Both carriers boast numerous domestic flights in their countries, making for smooth and convenient customer travel.
"The number of codeshare routes operated by Garuda and JAL has increased from 10 to 44" following the launch of their joint venture, Tottori said.
Members of each airline's frequent flyer programs are allowed to earn and use mileage interchangeably. Tottori said that customers have responded particularly well to the ability to utilize miles they earned with Garuda on JAL flights.
For JAL, deepening relationships with other companies through the Oneworld global alliance is a tailwind. Philippine Airlines announced in June that it would join the alliance, which was founded in 1999, even though PAL's parent company has received an investment from JAL competitor ANA Holdings, the operator of All Nippon Airways, since 2019. While ANA is a member of the rival Star Alliance, PAL did not join it.
Oneworld currently has 15 members including JAL, American Airlines, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and Australia's Qantas. As there are many codeshare and mileage partnerships within the alliance, it is assumed that JAL will strengthen cooperation with PAL as well.
JAL raised its fuel surcharge to a record high in response to soaring oil prices caused by the Iran war. However, Tottori, who assumed her posts in April 2024, said, "demand from international travelers barely changed."
By expanding the alliance with other peers to cover more countries, the carrier can "address global demand while raising unit prices," she added.
Air travel demand can be significantly affected by disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. Companies are therefore moving toward partnerships in an unprecedented fashion.
United Airlines has reportedly pitched the potential for merging with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. South Korea's top carrier Korean Air acquired its long-standing domestic rival Asiana Airlines, planning to fully integrate the latter's operations into its own as early as the end of this year.
JAL has been operating code-share flights with Korean Air for many years. Beyond capturing demand for flights connecting South Korea, "we want to explore additional opportunities, such as the cargo business which is a key area for Korean Air." Tottori said.
The two airlines announced on Thursday that they signed a strategic partnership to deepen their relationship. The two companies will expand existing partnerships regarding code-sharing and frequent flyer miles to include Asiana Airlines' flights.
They will also explore collaboration on cargo flights, ground handling and the shared use of staff training facilities, as well as in the credit card business. JAL Senior Managing Executive Officer Ross Leggett said, "We want to cooperate to explore how we can work together with shared values on the global stage to lead this industry."
Even Japanese companies are no exception. Long-time rivals JAL and ANA have started working together. They will adjust their flight schedules on the route connecting Haneda with Okayama in western Japan to increase the seat occupancy rate. They will also schedule flights to ensure their departure and arrival times don't overlap.
Since the pandemic, the two airlines' domestic operations have suffered from declining business travel demand and rising costs driven by the weak yen and high fuel prices. In particular, the Haneda-Okayama route also faces competition with shinkansen bullet trains.
For domestic flights, code-sharing and service reductions that meet certain requirements under Japan's antitrust act are expected to expand. Tottori said that code-sharing with ANA would begin "once preparations are completed." But she stressed that "nothing has been decided," including specific routes and timing. System upgrades are required, so "it won't be possible immediately," she added.
Tottori is well aware of the distinction between competition and cooperation. "We're entering a phase where we'll be coordinating with other airlines on domestic flights other than routes connecting major cities, so it's difficult to differentiate ourselves [from the competitor]," Tottori said, referring to ANA.
"Unless we differentiate ourselves through international flights, cargo services and mileage programs, passengers won't choose us." she said.
Additional reporting by Yuichi Shiga