Japan Airlines is to apply for membership of the Oneworld airline alliance.
Currently the only carrier among the world’s largest 20 not to have joined an alliance, JAL would extend Oneworld’s network by 10% and add 68 destinations.
In terms of group revenue, it would become the largest carrier in the alliance.
Oneworld, which has been courting JAL for many years, said it was a “siginificant development” for the alliance.
Oneworld managing partner John mcCulloch said: “Japan Airlines would be an ideal fit with Oneworld, as we have said often in the past. It is a high class carrier with an excellent reputation for its customer service and management and an enviable network that complements those of our existing members.
“We are very pleased that it has recognised that value that membership of Oneworld offers.”
Formal procedures will now take place before JAL is officially invited to join Oneworld. It is estmated the carrier will become fully alligned in the alliance within one to two years.
Report by Steve Jones
