American Airlines and Japan Airlines will begin their joint business on transpacific flight services from April 1, reported Dow Jones Newswires.

The announcement follows approval by the US and Japanese authorities last year of anti-trust immunity for the proposed joint transpacific operations.

With the business tie-up, the two airlines – both members of the Oneworld alliance – will be competing with rivals to take advantage of the "open skies" agreement signed between the US and Japan in 2009 to liberalise flight services between the two countries.

The initiatives also come as Japan aims to make airports around Tokyo regional hubs in Asia to compete with rival airports in Singapore, South Korea and other countries.

Cargonews Asia