Getting your player ready...
AMR Corp.’s American Airlines and Japan Airlines Corp. have asked the U.S. government for protection from antitrust prosecution, a move that would let them deepen their partnership on Asian routes.
A U.S. Transportation Department spokesman, Bill Mosley, confirmed Friday that the request has been made with the agency.
Approval would give the carriers, both members of the Oneworld alliance, antitrust immunity for cooperating on pricing, routes and marketing plans for overseas flights.
The application was cleared by a preliminary “Open Skies” agreement between the U.S. and Japan in December, and a decision this week by Japan Air to maintain its alliance with American and reject a partnership with Delta Air Lines Inc.
