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JAL and oneworld sign agreement
Japan Airlines and oneworld have exchanged a memorandum of understanding as the carrier made its first step to becoming a full member of the alliance.
The agreement comes four months after JAL revealed it was applying to join oneworld.
The memorandum sets out the remaining steps the carrier must take before it is formally invited to become a member – a process likely to take up to a year.
JAL is the only carrier among the world’s 20 largest not to have joined an alliance.
Oneworld managing partner John McCulloch said: “Adding Japan Airlines will be one of the most significant developments in oneworld’s history. It is a top priority for the alliance and we are delighted that we have been able to reach this key stage in our discussions so soon.”
In terms of revenue, JAL will be the largest member of oneworld.
The airline’s group chief executive Toshiyuki Shinmachi said discussions have continued “at an extremely swift pace”, underlining both parties’ desire to fast track the process.
“We hope we can maintain this pace and successfully complete all the stages ahead of us,” he said.
Shinmachi has previously said that joining oneworld would bring benefits both for the airline and passengers.
“Becoming a member of oneworld, while maintaining our bilateral agreements, would provide our customers with even greater convenience, comfort and value through a more extensive global network,” said Shinmachi.
The integration of e-ticketing, the linkage of frequent flyer mileage programmes and the use of each others services such as lounges, would create seamless travel, he said.
Report by Steve Jones
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