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An airline "open skies" agreement between the United States and Japan will be signed by year's end, authorities announced.
Under the pact, airlines of both countries could expand alliances and decide on routes and flight schedules, the Asahi Shimbun reported Wednesday.
Currently, aviation authorities in the two countries determines routes and related matters.
Once the agreement is signed, United Airlines and Japan's All Nippon Airways are expected to seek an alliance, and Delta and American Airlines are likely to make a deal with Japan Airlines Corp., the Shimbun said.
Japan and the U.S. began talks on the agreement in October 2008, and Japan's transport minister expects the aviation liberalization pact to be signed soon.
"I was briefed that an agreement will be reached by as early as the year-end," Seiji Maehara said.
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