U.S.-Japan Open Skies Within Reach

U.S. negotiators believe they can overcome the remaining obstacles to a U.S.-Japan Open Skies deal next week, although the agreement will not enter force until one or two transpacific joint ventures are approved.

The latest round of talks will be held in Washington, D.C., from Dec. 7 to Dec. 10. There is "cautious optimism that we could reach an agreement" next week, said John Byerly, the State Dept.'s deputy assistant secretary for transportation. He added that there are "no guarantees," and a lot of work is still needed on the text of the deal. Access to the two Tokyo airports looms as the major remaining issue to be resolved.

Byerly noted there was considerable progress made in the previous round of talks in Tokyo. This common ground, combined with the terms of the existing U.S.-Japan agreement, would meet the U.S. definition of an Open Skies agreement, Byerly said.

Overall, Byerly said there is the "opportunity for both of us to achieve something we want" from the negotiations. U.S. airlines will gain greater access to the currently restricted Japanese market. And Japanese carriers will be able to form joint ventures with U.S. airlines on transpacific routes, which is seen as the main goal of the Japanese government

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