JAL to maintain American alliance

TOKYO: Japan Airlines, wooed for months by Delta Air Lines with promises of cash and a broad global network, spurned the world's biggest carrier and opted to keep its alliance with American Airlines.

The Japanese carrier said it will strengthen its partnership with American and the two airlines will jointly ask the US and Japanese governments for antitrust immunity on trans-Pacific routes.

The decision brings to an end a fierce tug-of-war over Japan's ailing flagship carrier, which is restructuring under bankruptcy but offers the US airlines access to lucrative Asian routes.