Indian domestic carrier Kingfisher Airlines is poised to join the British Airways-le Oneworld alliance.
Kingfisher has applied to India’s ministry of civil aviation for authority to proceed with its membership of the global airline grouping.
BA will support the carrier through its allianceimplementation as its sponsor and Kingfisher could be expected to start flying as part of Oneworld during next year.
Kingfisher’s involvement will link India’s most extensive domestic network covering 58 cities with the alliance’s global network.
Japan Air Lines and alliance partners American Airlines, BA, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qantas and Royal Jordanian already serve five gateways in India between them – Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
Kingfisher chairman and chief executive Vijay Mallya said: “Kingfisher Airlines is proud to be lining up to join the world’s leading quality global airline alliance.
“Becoming part of Oneworld would be one of our most significant steps so far – and is right in line with our vision to become one of the world’s top airlines.
“It will enable us to offer our guests a truly global network served by partners who include some of the best known and most admired airlines in the world, with frequent flyer benefits extended throughout this network.
“It will also strengthen us financially, through revenues from passengers transferring to our network from our Oneworld partners and the cost reduction opportunities the alliance offers."
by Phil Davies
