米航空大手合併 世界の空を競う新時代の到来

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 20, 2013)
American-US Airways merger marks new era of global rivalry
米航空大手合併　世界の空を競う新時代の到来（2月19日付・読売社説）

The U.S. airline industry has reached the end of more than 10 years of mergers and acquisitions among major carriers. This indicates the dawn of a new era in which the three big U.S. carriers will take the lead in the global airline industry, as well as in Asia.
　１０年以上にわたる米航空業界の合従連衡に、大きな区切りがついた。米３強が、アジアなど世界の空を主導する新たな競争時代の到来だ。

American Airlines and US Airways, the world's fourth and 11th-largest carriers, respectively, have agreed to merge this autumn. Under the deal, the new airline will surpass United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, the current No. 1 and No. 2 carriers, as the largest in the world.
　航空世界４位のアメリカン航空と１１位のＵＳエアウェイズが今秋に合併することで合意した。１位と２位だった米ユナイテッド航空と米デルタ航空を抜き、世界最大の航空会社になる。

It can be said that the latest development is the result of American and US Airways' shared intention to survive global competition by streamlining operations and expanding their customer base.
　業務効率化や顧客基盤の拡大で国際競争を生き残ろうと、両社の思惑が一致した結果と言える。

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, major U.S. carriers fell like dominoes due to economic slowdowns, soaring fuel prices and aggressive sales drives by low-cost carriers.
　２００１年の米同時テロ以降、米航空大手は、景気悪化や燃料費高騰、格安航空会社の攻勢などでドミノ倒しのように破綻した。

Later, these collapsed carriers consolidated after restructuring under bankruptcy protection. For instance, Delta merged with Northwest, while United absorbed Continental.
　その後はデルタとノースウエスト航空、ユナイテッドとコンチネンタル航空など、破綻を経た大手間の統合が繰り返された。

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U.S. carriers to take leading role

The latest merger is also a move for airlines to find ways to survive through the same formula for recovery.
　今回の合併も「再生の方程式」に活路を見いだす動きだ。

American entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection proceedings in autumn 2011 following delays in cost-cutting efforts and other factors. The airline still faces many challenges, as it has been unable to single-handedly put itself back on the corporate reconstruction track.
　アメリカンは１１年秋、コスト削減の遅れなどから、米連邦破産法の適用を申請し、経営破綻した。自力再建が軌道に乗らない苦境が今も続いている。

On the other hand, US Airways, which first entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002 and again in 2004, is smaller than American in terms of passenger traffic, but has recently been performing relatively steadily.
　一方、０２年と０４年に２度の経営破綻を経験したＵＳエアは、規模ではアメリカンに劣るものの、最近の経営は比較的順調だった。

The carrier is apparently aiming to shed its excessive dependence on domestic flight services and hoped to mutually complement each other with the merger with American, which has a solid network of international flights.
　米国内偏重からの脱却を狙い、ＵＳエアは強固な国際線網を持つアメリカンとの補完関係に期待して合併を図ったのだろう。

The focal point in the months ahead will be how quickly the two airlines can demonstrate the cost-reducing effect of the merger.
　今後の焦点は、いかに迅速にコスト削減などの合併効果を発揮できるか、である。

The new company plans to capture fast-growing markets, including those in Asia. It is certain that global competition in the airline industry will intensify further, with the three major U.S. carriers taking a pivotal role.
　新会社は、成長著しいアジア市場などの攻略を目指す構えだ。米３強が軸になり、世界競争が一段と激化するに違いない。

Currently, there are three global airline alliance networks that allow partner carriers to have codeshare flights and share mileage reward systems.
　世界には、共同運航やマイレージ共有などで提携する三つの航空会社連合がある。

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ANA, JAL must act quickly

The American-US Airways merger, in which both carriers belong to different alliances, may trigger a global realignment that goes beyond existing alliance networks.
所属が異なるアメリカンとＵＳエアの合併は、連合を超えた世界再編の引き金になる可能性も秘めている。

The two major Japanese airlines--All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, both of which run relatively small-scale operations--must raise their sense of urgency. We hope the two carriers will enhance their competitiveness by making further cost-cutting efforts and improving their services.
　経営規模が小さい全日本空輸と日本航空の国内２社は、危機感を強めなければならない。一層のコスト削減やサービス充実で、競争力を高めてほしい。

Yet the Boeing 787, which both consider their leading, next-generation aircraft, has been forced to suspend operations due to mechanical troubles. This negative effect is a matter of concern.
　ただ、両社が次世代の主力機と位置付けるボーイング７８７がトラブルで運航停止に追い込まれている。その影響が懸念される。

Hindered by its complicated electronic system and joint development through Japanese, U.S. and European manufacturers, there has been little progress in investigating the cause of recent incidents involving Boeing 787s, leaving no prospect for resuming operations even though a month has already passed since the planes were suspended.
　複雑な電子システムや日米欧にまたがる開発体制が支障となって原因究明は進まず、１か月が経過しても運航のめどが立たない。

If the suspension is extended, both Japanese airlines must review their business management plans centering on the 787s.
　長期化すれば、７８７導入を前提とした両社の経営計画見直しは必至だ。

We hope both Japanese and U.S. authorities expedite their cooperative efforts to shed light on the cause of the incidents.
日米当局は協力して原因究明を急いでもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 19, 2013)
（2013年2月19日01時22分  読売新聞）