The U.S. and Japan have reached an historic airline agreement to relax limits on flights between the two countries. This would open the possibility to find more extensive airline alliances that could book more tickets and give better deals for travelers at the airport.
Late Friday night, it was announced that the airlines of both countries will be able to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand, for passenger and cargo flights, without limitation. This could translate into good airfare news for vacation travelers on both sides of the Pacific.
The agreement would finally remove current restrictions on the number of flights and carriers, and offer boundless opportunities for cooperative marketing programs between U.S. and Japanese airlines.
"Once this agreement takes effect, American and Japanese consumers, airlines and economies will enjoy the benefits of competitive pricing and more convenient service," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
It is speculated that this agreement will prompt Japan Airlines and Nippon Airways to seek various joint ventures with U.S. airline companies. Such alliances would increase passenger seating availability and expand pricing options, producing greater benefits for the carriers and their customers.
U.S. passenger airlines currently are strictly limited in the routes and number of flights they can operate into Japan. Only Delta and United Airlines are currently permitted flexible flight schedules into certain Japanese cities like Tokyo.
The U.S. - Japan agreement would provide new growth opportunities and afford fair competition for U.S. carriers, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Development of Japan-U.S. aviation ties would allow the airlines to share costs and revenues on some flights, regardless of the owner or the operator of the aircraft.
The Department of Transportation affirms that the U.S.-Japan "open skies" agreement has been set, however, there is no specific timetable on when it will take effect. Formal approval is still required by both nations.
The U.S. has similar open skies agreements with around 90 other countries, covering the European Union and Australia.
One primary part of the agreement is that it will provide the U.S. airline industry full access to Haneda airport, near the center of Tokyo, for the first time. That would mean increased flight availability and possible fare reductions for travelers on U.S. carriers flying to Japan.
The United States supplies the biggest aviation market for Japan.
Comments