FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey today reaffirmed the commitment of American and the oneworld® Alliance to retain Japan Airlines (JAL) as a valued partner and equal member within the oneworld group. Arpey, who also is chairman of the oneworld Board of Governors, addressed media and other attendees at an event in Mexico City commemorating the induction of Mexicana Airlines into oneworld.
"Let me be very clear," Arpey said, "JAL is a highly valued member of oneworld. The alliance and its other member airlines have deep and long-standing partnerships with JAL that produce hundreds of millions of dollars of value for JAL, and we are committed to maintaining and strengthening that partnership."
Arpey noted that the current global economic environment has affected carriers worldwide, but it's been especially challenging for those operating in the Asia Pacific region.
"As its country's and the region's biggest airline, Japan Airlines has been right in the eye of the storm. The media have been speculating extensively on JAL's prospects and its alliance strategy. We are convinced that we can deliver the most meaningful alliance value to JAL -- by a wide margin -- and without any of the regulatory risk a change in alliance strategy would mean for them, not to mention the financial costs JAL would incur if it changed alliances at such a critical phase in its restructuring," he said.
As the governments of Japan and the United States consider an Open Skies agreement, Arpey noted that JAL is more likely to realize the benefits of an immunized relationship with American Airlines. And, by remaining with oneworld, JAL can continue to benefit fully from all of the revenues flowing from all its partnerships.
"We are dedicated to do what we can to help JAL weather its current challenges and to assure it a long and healthy future as an important and equal member of oneworld," Arpey said.
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc.
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