US airlines fly high while virus drag keeps Japan carriers low

JAL's $530m loss more than double Delta, American and United profits

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"It's hard to picture a recovery in demand," Japan Airlines' chief financial officer has said. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)

AZUSA KAWAKAMI and HAJIME MATSUMOTO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO – A massive loss reported by Japan Airlines on Tuesday brought into sharp relief the industry’s lopsided recovery, with U.S. carriers bouncing back quickly and Japanese and European peers continuing to bleed red ink.

Their divergent fortunes could give companies like Delta Air Lines and American Airlines a distinct edge in the post-pandemic landscape, allowing them to turn temporary discrepancies into lasting leads.

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