Delta and SkyTeam Issue Statement of Support for Japan Airlines

PR Newswire

TOKYO, Jan. 19

TOKYO, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and SkyTeam today issued the following statement in response to the announcement that Japan Airlines (JAL) has entered into court-led financial restructuring under the guidance of the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan (ETIC).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090202/DELTALOGO )

"Delta and SkyTeam fully support Japan Airlines and stand ready to provide assistance and support in any way possible.  Delta fully expects that JAL, with the support of ETIC, will be successful in its restructuring and return the airline to a position of prominence.  Delta went through a similar restructuring process, and as a result emerged in 2007 as one of the most financially sound and the world's largest airline.

"JAL customers should continue to book their travel on the flagship carrier of Japan as they will not notice any impact to service as a result of the restructuring.  

"Delta has been in discussion with JAL in hopes of forming a strategic SkyTeam partnership that would provide significant benefits for JAL and all of its stakeholders."

SkyTeam members include Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and associate members Air Europa and Kenya Airways.