By Felix Innig: Subscribe to Felix's RSS feed
July 27, 2010 3:51 PM EDT
The second largest German carrier Air Berlin plc has accepted an invitation to join the Oneworld airline alliance at a formal press conference in Berlin at Tuesday. Oneworld, the second largest of the three global airline alliances, is the first such group to take in a low-cost carrier.
The larger Star Alliance, led by Air Berlin's competitor and Germany's top airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG, has a strong foothold in Europe. British Airways, one of the three biggest carriers of the EU and a founding member of Oneworld, is now sponsoring the full membership of Air Berlin in the alliance.
Oneworld announced that Air Berlin will offer code-share flights with two of its members, American Airlines [a subsidiary of AMR. Corp. (NYSE: AMR)] and Finnair plc beginning this winter season. This allows the low-cost airline to add 15 new destinations in the United States and two in the Bahamas with American, and new European and Asian destinations with Finnair.
Like us on Facebook
Air Berlin's chief executive Joachim Hunold said at the press conference: "Becoming part of Oneworld would be one of the most significant departures so far for our airline, enabling us to offer our customers a truly global network served by partners who include some of the best and biggest airlines in the world. We look forward to completing all joining requirements as soon as possible."
The joining date was set for early 2012 -- coinciding with the opening of the all new Berlin Brandenburg International airport currently under construction.
The Australian carrier Quantas, Spanish Iberia and Japan Airlines are other major member airlines of Oneworld.
The third airline alliance is Sky Team, which is centered around Air France, and includes Delta Airlines (NYSE: DAL). Thus, each of the big three European Airline conglomerates have made its own global alliance, as well as buying up smaller carriers.
Alliances offer a framework to coordinate flight schedules and connecting flights and cooperate with shared airport lounges and frequent-flier programs.
Sprint CEO Remark Spurs Talk of T-Mobile BidSprint CEO Dan Hesse said his company might benefit from the collapse of the AT&T bid for T-Mobile USA.
Diet Soda: Research Sparks Debate on Risks of Heart Disease, StrokePut down your diet soda and listen up. The bubbly zero calorie drink may increase your risk of heart disease, according to new research.
Greece in Turmoil as EU Austerity Package Put on HoldGreece’s financial future in doubt after ministers look again at strict terms of European rescue package.
Is Kim Jong-un Dead?Rumors of Kim Jong-un's death hit Weibo on Friday
We value your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.
How Double Fine Raised $700,000 in 24 Hours With Crowdsourcing
