AMR CEO Goes Public In Case To Keep JAL Deal

DAVID KOENIG

DALLAS (AP) — The CEO of American Airlines says Japan Airlines would be taking a risk and suffer financially if it breaks ties with American and joins an alliance with Delta Air Lines.

Gerard Arpey said Monday that American and its partner airlines "produce hundreds of millions of dollars of value for JAL" and want to strengthen their ties.

Arpey made the comments in Mexico City at a meeting of the oneworld alliance of global airlines, which includes American, British Airways and JAL. Delta belongs to another alliance, SkyTeam, and is trying to lure JAL away from oneworld.

American and Delta have battled over JAL for several weeks, largely in private. Arpey's remarks elevated the fight by marking the most detailed public comments by either CEO.

Delta declined comment.

Last month, Delta CEO Richard Anderson declined to answer questions about JAL. But he said Delta and SkyTeam partner Air France-KLM have shown an ability to develop successful alliances with their trans-Atlantic business.