Delta, the world’s largest carrier, appears to be gaining the upper hand with an invitation for JAL to join the SkyTeam airline network, which currently has no Japanese partner

If JAL joins SkyTeam, it is “highly likely that JAL’s flights to America will be replaced by Delta”, said Yasuhiro Matsumoto, a credit analyst at Shinsei Securities. But it would take time for JAL and Delta to get approval from US authorities for joint operations, he added. JAL’s bankruptcy filing is just the first step in what is likely to be a long and complex overhaul by the debt-ridden carrier, which aims to slash more than 15,600 jobs and axe unprofitable routes to staunch massive losses.

JAL, which reassured passengers it would continue to operate flights during its bankruptcy, made no announcement regarding its talks with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines when it unveiled its turnaround plan Tuesday. But just hours after it filed for bankruptcy, both US carriers issued statements saying they stood ready to support the once iconic airline. “As JAL becomes slimmer, Delta would provide many flights,” said Yoshihisa Akai, head of research at Japan Aviation Management Research, an advisory firm. US giants are not the only ones waiting in the wings.

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