American Airlines Inc. said Tuesday it remains hopeful it'll get a decision on its joint business agreement with its Oneworld partners by a Saturday deadline, but it acknowledged that there may be a delay.

Dow Jones Newswires reported Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation isn't expected to meet the deadline, citing differences with the Department of Justice, which is also reviewing the proposal.

"We remain hopeful that we will get a decision by the statutory deadline," American spokesman Ryan Mikolasik said. "Having said that, the decision in the Star case was issued after the deadline had passed."

Mikolasik was referring to Continental Airlines Inc.'s application to join the Star Alliance. In that case, Justice officials filed their comments on June 26 and the Transportation Department issued its final decision July 10, nearly six weeks after its deadline.

Justice officials have not commented on the Oneworld carriers' application.

American, British Airways PLC and Iberia want antitrust immunity on their trans-Atlantic operations so they can jointly decide fares, schedules, marketing programs and other elements and share in the revenue.

"Obviously, we don't control the timing," Mikolasik said. "Regardless, we believe we have made a strong case and remain confident that our application will be approved."

Asked Tuesday about a delay, Transportation Department spokesman Bill Mosley said: "We continue to consider this case and expect to issue a preliminary decision as soon as our review is completed."

On Tuesday, Continental officials joined with chief executives from United Airlines Inc. and other airlines in the Star Alliance to formally mark its entry into Star, a global group of 25 carriers. The July approval gave Star members Continental, United, Lufthansa and Air Canada antitrust immunity on their trans-Atlantic operations.

Last week, an analyst raised the possibility of a delay with American chairman and chief executive Gerard Arpey.

"We're really not in a position to put a stake in the ground in terms of the timing because we're dealing both with the U.S. government and the EU [European Union]," Arpey said.

"But I think at this stage we're being responsive to all of the governmental parties. ... The facts are on our side, and we think we'll eventually get there," he said.

The Financial Times reported Monday that European regulators may require American and British Airways to give up some slots at London Heathrow for approval, among other conditions.