Anti-trust immunity has been granted to a joint business between Japan Airlines, Finnair and British Airways.
The approval by Japanese authorities paves the way for Finnair to join the existing joint business between JAL and BA.
The agreement will allow all three Oneworld alliance airlines to co-operate commercially on flights between Europe and Japan from next spring.
BA chief executive Keith Williams (pictured) said: “Today’s decision will benefit the customers of all three airlines by allowing us to explore ways to improve the connections between east and west.”
Pekka Vauramo, chief executive of Finnair, said: “We are glad we are now one step closer to starting the cooperation with JAL and British Airways to provide our customers with better connections between the EU and Japan.”