Brazil’s Varig will leave the Star Alliance at the end of this month.
Star said the decision was due to a restructuring of the company which meant it no longer fulfilled the criteria for membership.
It said its member carriers will ensure the impact will be kept to a minimum.
Meanwhile, LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador are due to join Oneworld in early in 2007.
Oneworld is also set to welcome Japan Airlines, plus affiliates JALways, Japan Asia Airways, JAL Express, J-Air and Japan Transocean Air, Malév Hungarian, Royal Jordanian and Dragonair this year.
By Bev Fearis
