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TOKYO --

The new leaders of Japan Airlines said Monday the carrier will decide on its alliance partner "as soon as possible" but wouldn't provide a timeframe for a decision on sticking with American Airlines or shifting to Delta.

Speaking at his first press conference as president, Masaru Onishi told reporters that discussions were continuing within JAL and the company's stance was "neutral."

"Under new management, the company is seriously reviewing the issue from scratch, without being influenced by previous discussions," he said.

Japan's flagship airline filed for bankruptcy two weeks ago with $25.6 billion in debt and is planning a major restructuring under new leadership.

Their first major decision will be to pick an alliance - oneworld or SkyTeam.

American and Delta Air Lines are locked in a heated battle for JAL and its lucrative Asian routes. At stake: a big revenue stream, more power to help shape overseas customer options and ticket prices and the potential to one day fly aircraft and passengers on JAL's routes.

Delta and its partners have offered JAL $1 billion to leave oneworld. American and its partners say they will give JAL $1.4 billion to stay.

New chairman Kazuo Inamori declined to provide details of talks, except to say they were ongoing.