Delta Air Lines Inc., the world's largest carrier, has hired Fleishman Hillard Inc. to lobby Japanese politicians, analysts and opinion leaders as it seeks a tieup with struggling Japan Airlines Corp., two sources said.

Delta hired Fleishman this month to gain access to the nation's decision makers and to promote the firm to the public, the sources said.

JAL, seeking its fourth government bailout since 2001, has resumed capital alliance talks with Delta and American Airlines as the U.S. carriers compete for access to more Asian routes. JAL is being examined by a government restructuring panel that aims to revise loan terms and gain public funds for the carrier to keep it operating.

The competition between Delta and AMR Corp.'s American Airlines for a strategic alliance with JAL is intensifying as the U.S. carriers plan to send top executives to Tokyo before the end of the month, other sources said last week.

Fleishman officials in Tokyo declined comment, as did Delta spokeswoman Ryoko Matsumoto.

Delta is looking to tap Fleishman's ties with the Democratic Party of Japan. The consultant advised the new ruling party during an election campaign in 2004. Fleishman is a unit of New York-based Omnicom Group Inc., the world's second-largest owner of advertising agencies.

American Airlines and JAL are both members of the oneworld alliance, and AA has considered leading other oneworld carriers in an investment in JAL, other sources said last month. Delta is a member of the competing SkyTeam alliance. Airlines use the partnerships to sell fares on each others' routes, gaining access to more flights without the cost of operating them.