Japan Forum

I caught word on CNN this morning that Japan Airlines-- the same company that just launched its own Doraemon airplane not four days ago --has just filed for bankruptcy today.

According to the CNN report (and subsequent reports like this one), JAL has filed for bankruptcy with a $25 billion debt. The company will be permitted to continue operation while it reorganizes, but is being wiped out of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which I believe royally screws stockholders.

Delta and American Airlines are reportedly still in talks to form an alliance, with Delta specifically saying that they "fully spport" JAL and are "ready to provide assistance and support." Hey, if that meant cheaper flights to Narita I'd be thrilled...but for now I think I'll just wait and see.
 
...And fantasize about $500 airfares to Japan. Mmm, that'd be awesome.

That's not good.  An airline going in bankruptcy is no bueno.  Also, where is my Flying Nimbus plane at?

Anyone know how this will affect ANA and their airfare, if at all?  I tend to fly on ANA when I go to Japan, and since I'm going back soon, I need to know if I should rush on my tickets or not.

@Addfwyn:  If anything, fewer competitors usually means higher prices, but as John pointed out, there are still plenty of airlines running flights to Japan, so I doubt it'll have too significant an impact there. It won't be like when both Aloha Airlines and the then almost exclusively Hawaii-running ATA both shut down within days of one another-- and even that price hike was temporary as things settled down.