Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines have applied for permission — in the form of antitrust immunity — to create a joint venture they say will benefit travelers.
The carriers submitted the request to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. If approved, the agreement would be Hawaiian’s first joint venture and the first U.S.-based joint venture that does not involve one of the three largest American carriers.
The proposed joint venture would build on a codeshare relationship the two airlines launched in March, enabling closer coordination of marketing and sales, shared cost management and revenue sharing on routes they operate together.
Hawaiian and JAL say the arrangement will increase operational efficiency and produce consumer benefits such as lower fares, greater seat capacity and more travel options between Japan and Hawai‘i.
The carriers estimate the partnership could attract an additional 162,000 to 350,000 visitors to Hawai‘i each year, add roughly $184.5 million to $402.3 million to the U.S. economy annually and support between 1,855 and 4,049 U.S. jobs.
“We have long admired JAL’s excellent service, which corresponds well with the authentic Hawaiian hospitality we offer,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “This joint venture will combine two premier brands in the highly competitive Japan–Hawaii market, and travelers from both countries will benefit.”