JAL and Korean Air to expand partnership ahead of Asiana integration

Japan Airlines and Korean Air are expanding their partnership beyond codeshare and loyalty programme cooperation. The move was announced on 3 September and comes ahead of Korean Air's integration with Asiana Airlines at the end of the year.

The carriers said the partnership aims to elevate their cooperative system and create new value in the global market, starting with Japan and South Korea. Existing codeshare and loyalty arrangements will be progressively aligned with Korean Air's expanded network after the integration.

No further details were provided. Both airlines said the partnership aims to drive revitalisation of passenger and cargo traffic between the two countries. They also plan to collaborate on social issues such as sustainability and urban air mobility.

In a joint statement, the carriers reaffirmed a partnership dating back to the early 1960s, when Korean Air first launched commercial services.