Japan Airlines (JAL) and International Airlines Group's (IAG)* joint business has been granted anti-trust immunity from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The agreement will allow JAL and British Airways to cooperate commercially on flights between the EU and Japan.  The joint business is expected to be launched by late March 2013.

The MLIT has today, (May 25), formally approved the application submitted by JAL in February 2012, seeking anti-trust immunity to co-operate on flights between the EU and Japan with British Airways. 

Yoshiharu Ueki, Japan Airline's president said,"We would like to thank the Ministry for approving our application for ATI with IAG. 
"Amid the evolving Japanese aviation industry, the ATI will enable us to build a strong value-creating relationship with British Airways that can benefit our customers as well as our businesses". 

Willie Walsh IAG's chief executive added, "We are delighted the Japanese authority has given regulatory approval for the joint business which will bring great benefits to consumers. 
"British Airways has been flying to Japan for more than 60 years and this new agreement will strengthen our ties to the world's third largest economy and further enhance our relationship with JAL."

Source: Japan Airlines

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*International Airlines Group is one of the world's largest airline groups with 348 aircraft flying to 200 destinations and carrying more than 50 million passengers each year. It is the third largest group in Europe and the sixth largest in the world, based on revenue.

Formed in January 2011, IAG is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia and bmi. It is a Spanish registered company with shares traded on the London Stock Exchange and Spanish Stock Exchanges. The corporate head office for IAG is in London, UK.

IAG combines the leading airlines in the UK and Spain, enabling them to enhance their presence in the aviation market while retaining their individual brands and current operations. The airlines' customers benefit from a larger combined network for both passengers and cargo and a greater ability to invest in new products and services through improved financial robustness.