Cathay Pacific and JAL eye cooperation for more flight choices and better fares

Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines are eyeing closer cooperation in a move that may give passengers a greater choice of flights and fares, especially between Asia and the US. Masaru Onishi, the Japanese carrier’s chairman, offered support to Hong Kong’s flag carrier and expressed an interest to collaborate as both airlines met at the IATA annual meeting currently being held in Cancun, Mexico. Onishi reached out to Cathay, which is facing challenging times amid 600 job cuts. “Everyone supports Cathay Pacific. I would like to say to [Cathay CEO] Rupert [Hogg] – what can I do [to help]?” Onishi said. Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary Cathay Dragon currently have an arrangement to sell tickets and market flights on each other’s routes to Japan, known in the industry as a “codeshare” agreement. A further arrangement between the airlines could benefit Cathay Pacific, one of Asia’s largest international carriers, while Japan Airlines also stands to gain as part of its continuing revival after bankruptcy and a government bailout at the start of the decade.<br/>