Skymark Airlines (BC, Tokyo Haneda) has confirmed early exploratory talks with JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda) over a possible tie up between the two carriers. A Skymark filing with the Nikkei stock exchange said that while negotiations over possible joint cooperation had already started, no definitive decisions or agreements had yet been reached.

According to the Nikkei business newswire, an initial partnership could see Skymark codesharing with JAL on certain routes in addition to cooperating on sales. However, JAL is unlikely to provide much needed direct funding to the budget carrier which earlier this month reiterated doubts about its ability to remain a going concern.

Skymark has been in protracted talks with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) over JPY70billion (USD682million) in cancellation penalties for six A380-800s it no longer needs. The European manufacturer had proposed Skymark partner another larger Japanese carrier capable of taking over the order only for Skymark management to reject it on the grounds it would impinge on its independence.

ANA - All Nippon Airways (NH, Tokyo Haneda) has also been touted as a possible partner for Skymark though these reports have remained largely speculative.