Japan Airlines (JAL) and China Eastern Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a joint venture for international and domestic routes.

The two airlines began offering codeshare flight operations between Japan and China in 2002 but now want to implement a joint business agreement to include their domestic networks, as well as flight pricing and scheduling.

In a statement, the carriers said the JV would include JAL`s domestic network featuring more than 50 cities in Japan and more than 80 on China`s domestic routes operated by China Eastern.

“We look to bring more benefits, more choices, and more value to our customers,” said Yoshiharu Ueki, Chairman of Japan Airlines.

“We believe this partnership will generate more passenger traffic between the two countries and open up commercial opportunities.”

Ma Xulun, the president of China Eastern, added: “The joint business between China Eastern Airlines and Japan Airlines is a new cooperation on the basis of the broad market prospect in Sino-Japanese routes and the cooperation development trend in global civil aviation industry.

“This is the common strategic choice for both of us facing the future and customers. Meanwhile, this cooperation will inject fresh dynamic into the aviation market of China and Japan, and benefit not only the development of our two airlines, but also the people between the two sides achieving great results.”

The airlines will now review regulatory conditions and apply for a joint business agreement through the authorities, with the aim of implementing the venture during the financial year from April 2019.