The race between Delta Air Lines and American Airlines to strike a deal or partnership with Japan Airlines has heated up. This news comes as United States and Japan have struck an open skies deal.

The new open skies deal between Japan and the United States will remove many of the legislative hurdles to operate flights between the United States and Japan. This will allow airlines from both countries to have a wider range of destinations and routes to choose from.

However, before the deal is formalized, the Japanese government has warned that the United States will have to consider waiving certain antitrust rules. This would mean that airlines, which are in alliance with each other, would be able to share scheduling and pricing, effectively allowing them to operate as a single company in the American and Japanese marketplaces. The United States Transportation Secretary, Ray Lahood, said that once this agreement takes effect, American and Japanese consumers, airlines and economies will be able to enjoy the benefits of competitive pricing and more convenient services.

This new breakthrough will more than likely add increased pressure on American and Delta Air Lines to strike a partnership with Japan Airlines. American and Japan Airlines are members of the One World alliance, making them natural candidates for a partnership.

However, Delta, the world’s largest airline, is trying to lure Japan Airlines to join their SkyTeam alliance. Both sides are trying to lure Japan Airlines to join their teams with money. This is due to the fact that Japan Airlines lost more than Y130 billion in the six months to September.