Japan Airlines Corp. will not relegate itself to a regional or low-cost carrier even as the once-proud flagship sharply streamlines its operations under a court-led turnaround plan, its new president said.
Masaru Onishi, appointed JAL president on Monday, said the company will choose its U.S. alliance partner — American Airlines Inc. or Delta Air Lines Inc. — by midmonth, a decision that will be a pillar of its efforts to boost revenue.
"As to what kind of a carrier we are going to aim for, it is unlikely to be a low-cost carrier or a regional airline specializing in Asia," Onishi said in his first interview with the media.