Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) is in preliminary talks to take a stake in Japan Airlines Inc. (9205.TO), according to a person familiar with the situation.

Any deal would cement Delta's ties in the Asia-Pacific region and help fill a gap in the global SkyTeam alliance headed by the U.S. airline. JAL is currently a member of rival Oneworld grouping headed by American Airlines and British Airways.

A Delta spokeswoman declined comment on speculation of a tie-up with JAL, first reported by Japanese media. A Oneworld spokesman also declined comment, but said JAL was "an important and valued partner" in the Asia-Pacific region.

-By Doug Cameron, Dow Jones Newswires; 312 750 4135; doug.cameron@dowjones.com