Global airline alliance, Oneworld and its member airlines have all collectively breathed a sigh of relief and welcomed the recent reaffirmation by Japan Airlines (JAL) of its membership in the alliance – and its intention to deepen working relationships with its partners in the grouping.

“We respect this was an important decision for Japan Airlines and the government of Japan, and we believe they have made the right choice for JAL’s many stakeholders, for Japan’s national interests and for consumers,” said oneworld governing board chairman, American Airlines chairman and chief executive Gerard Arpey.

“American and its oneworld partners look forward to working with JAL to create an even stronger partnership through commercial enhancements and assistance that can generate important new revenue to JAL and support its successful restructuring,” he added.

Arpey also said that American and JAL would now focus on building a joint venture that could offer JAL significant revenue growth “beyond the stability that oneworld offers today”.

“In the coming days, American would work with JAL’s new management team to finalise a joint application for antitrust immunity (ATI) across the Pacific, to be filed with the US Department of Transportation (DOT),” he said.

Cathay Pacific chief executive Tony Tyler added: “This is great news for oneworld, Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. We are very pleased we can all move ahead in building oneworld as the pre-eminent and highest quality alliance for Asia and the world, for the benefit of our customers and all our other stakeholders.”