Japan Airlines and Korean Air have signed a strategic partnership. The companies will newly explore collaboration in 12 areas and plan to prepare a roadmap by year-end, while also considering expanding Japan services following the integration of Asiana Airlines.
Japan Airlines and Korean Air announced on the 3rd that they had signed a strategic partnership. The partnership currently covers 12 areas, including non-aviation fields such as credit cards and investment funds, as well as personnel exchanges involving the reciprocal use of training facilities. Specific initiatives will be considered going forward, and a roadmap will be prepared by year-end.
The companies have previously partnered on codeshare flights and frequent-flyer programs, but this time they aim to pursue broad collaboration in areas including credit cards, maintenance and training. The partnership is expected to go deeper than their previous arrangements, including the reciprocal use of training facilities.
Korean Air plans to integrate Asiana Airlines by year-end, and Japan services are expected to expand from approximately 250 to approximately 410 flights per week. JAL is also considering expanding its current services to include Asiana flights.
The companies will also expand arrangements for cargo flights, maintenance and ground-handling operations, potentially helping to address labor shortages at airports. They are also exploring joint procurement of SAF.
The companies reached a basic agreement on a partnership in April 1963, reflecting the history surrounding the period before and after the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. The latest collaboration is positioned as an initiative aimed at deeper cooperation, rather than simply an extension of their previous partnership.