All Nippon Airways and its two U.S. partners — United Airlines and Continental Airlines — will apply with the U.S. Department of Transportation, possibly Wednesday, for antitrust immunity to allow them to better coordinate trans-Pacific operations, ANA officials said.
The three airlines, all members of the Star Alliance grouping, are expected to apply for an exemption from the Japanese government next year. The waiver is widely expected to be granted.
The airlines' move comes after an agreement in mid-December by both governments to liberalize the bilateral air transport market.
Immunity will enable the airlines to coordinate flights and timetables and fares to better compete with rivals. The Star Alliance airlines also plan to merge ground operations.
ANA rival Japan Airlines is in talks with U.S. carriers Delta Air Lines and oneworld alliance partner American Airlines, aiming for a stronger partnership. JAL, which is struggling to avert a collapse, is expected to select either Delta or American as a partner in January and seek antitrust immunity for trans-Pacific services.