Japan and the USA have agreed a memorandum of understanding to establish full open skies between the two countries.
The deal - signed in Tokyo by US ambassador to Japan John Ross and Japanese transport minister Sumio Mabuchi - will allow US airlines to access slots at Tokyo's Haneda airport, and allow for closer co-operation between US and Japanese carriers.
The process of air liberalisation talks began more than a year ago as the two countries sought to update their decades-old air services agreement.
Before confirmation of the MoU, Japan's ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism granted anti-trust immunity to Oneworld partners Japan Airlines and American Airlines and to All Nippon Airways and Star Alliance partners Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
Both partnerships had already received tentative approval for anti-trust immunity from the US Department of Transportation.
Source: Flight International
