Japan Airlines has acquired an undisclosed stake in Hanjin Kal, the holding company of Korean Air, as part of a broader strategic partnership between the two carriers. The investment adds another global Korean Air partner to Hanjin Kal’s shareholder base while the ownership contest between Chairman Cho Won-tae’s side and Hoban Group remains tight. As of June, Cho and affiliates held 20.57% and Hoban Group held 19.83%; Hoban later raised its stake to 20.15% in July, narrowing the gap to 0.42 percentage points. JAL said the investment was made independently based on Hanjin Kal’s long-term market value. The partnership will expand Korea-Japan codeshare flights to 400 per week after Korean Air’s planned integration with Asiana Airlines on December 17, while broadening cooperation in cargo terminals, ground handling, training, maintenance, sustainable aviation fuel and urban air mobility.