Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia’s flagship carrier PJSC Aeroflot to explore the provision of offering new commercial opportunities to their customers flying between the two countries.

The cooperation is fuelled by the recent increase in demand between the two countries following the introduction of visa relaxation requirements to the Japanese and Russian nationals in January.

As part of the MoU, JAL and PJSC Aeroflot have agreed to begin codeshare cooperation on the latter’s domestic flights, as well as JAL’s domestic and international flights travelling between Japan and Russia.

“This strategic cooperation of mutual benefits will offer both airlines’ customers more options and flexibility.”

First part of the codeshare cooperation is expected to be implemented after the next fiscal year.

Furthermore, both companies will seek to form a partnership in several fields such as frequent flyer programmes, airport relocation and a joint business venture in the future.

JAL executive vice-president Tadashi Fujita said: “As the only airline in Japan operating to Russia for over 50 years, the launch of a forward looking partnership with PJSC ‘Aeroflot’ demonstrates our strong commitment to this very important market.

“As we jointly started the Tokyo-Moscow flight 50 years ago, this strategic cooperation of mutual benefits will offer both airlines’ customers more options and flexibility.”

JAL currently operates four weekly flights to Moscow Domodedovo Airport in Russia from Tokyo Narita Airport in Japan.

From July to October this year, flight frequencies had temporarily increased to seven flights a week to meet the peak summer demand.

PJSC Aeroflot currently operates daily non-stop flights from Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport to Tokyo Narita Airport throughout the year.