FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, today praised U.S. and Japanese government negotiators for reaching an agreement on Open Skies that will establish and foster a healthy global aviation framework in the Pacific Rim and replace the existing bilateral agreement that has governed aviation between the U.S. and Japan since 1952.

"By their nature, bilateral agreements create a system in which some airlines receive aviation rights while others do not," said Will Ris, American's Senior Vice President - Government Affairs. "Open Skies agreements, on the other hand, end discriminatory aviation policies and are in the best interest of American and Japanese people as well as the nations' airlines."

The existing bilateral agreement had provided a competitive advantage on routes to, from and through Japan for certain carriers for many years. American joins the other U.S. air carriers in the market to applaud government negotiators for effectively reaching an agreement to best serve the interests of the traveling public despite the last minute efforts by the dominant carrier in the market, Delta/Northwest Airlines, to derail the talks.

"This Open Skies agreement will effectively reset the playing field and enable new working relationships, particularly pro-competitive joint ventures granted anti-trust immunity by the U.S. and Japanese governments. Ultimately, the agreement will benefit not only the traveling public, but both countries in terms of tourism, trade and commerce - and traffic between the two nations can grow unimpeded," said Ris.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

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SOURCE American Airlines