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BA and Swiss ditch alliance
Swiss International Airlines has severed a commercial pact with British Airways after just seven months.
As a result the Swiss carrier will no longer become a member of the global Oneworld alliance.
The commercial agreement between BA and Swiss was signed in October 2003 and was a fundamental condition of the airline becoming a member of Oneworld, according to a spokesman.
But a rift is believed to have developed over Swiss sharing frequent flyer information with BA.
All code-shares and bilateral relationships between Swiss and the other Oneworld partners remain in place.
Oneworld managing partner John McCulloch said: “This is unfortunate, but we have always been clear that Oneworld will only recruit airlines where they add value both to our customers and to our existing partners.
“Without the full implementation of its bilateral agreement with British Airways, Swiss would substantially reduce the value BA derives from Oneworld.
“Swiss has indicated that Oneworld is still its preferred alliance and that it hopes to be in a position to seek membership again in the future, which we would welcome under terms suitable for all.
“Meantime, Oneworld has four of Europe’s leading airlines on board, working closely together and based at some of the continent’s best hubs, so we are already strongly represented in this region.”
Alliance partners Aer Lingus, American Airlines, BA, Finnair and Iberia have been increasing services to Switzerland in recent months. Oneworld remains committed to its customers in the country, the spokesman said.
Report by Phil Davies
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