TOKYO (AFP) ― Struggling Japanese budget carrier Skymark Airlines said Wednesday it was considering asking for help from domestic giant All Nippon Airways, even while eyeing a tie-up with ANA’s rival Japan Airlines.

“We are considering asking for assistance” from ANA, Skymark spokesman Hiroyuki Sakata said.

Skymark could ask for code-sharing as the main pillar of that assistance, as would be the case if a JAL tie-up is agreed, he told AFP by telephone.

Selling flights under JAL or ANA’s codes would help reduce vacant seats.

The Nikkei economic daily had reported Skymark planned to get ANA on board because the transport ministry is reluctant to let JAL be the sole savior. But the Skymark spokesman said it was the company’s own decision to seek assistance from ANA.

“We need to rehabilitate our management urgently and are considering every possible measure,” Sakata said.