From the Business Wires:
British Airways and Swiss International Airlines today signed a legally binding memorandum of understanding under which the two airlines envisage entering into a commercial agreement.
British Airways and Swiss plan joint operations between the UK and Switzerland
with codesharing on London Heathrow Swiss routes from October 26 that will give both airlines' customers convenient access to worldwide destinations via London and Zurich.
The Swiss frequent flyer scheme will be gradually integrated into the British Airways' Executive Club. Miles already earned with Swiss will retain their current validity.
In addition, BA will enter into a slot exchange agreement for eight Heathrow daily slot pairs from Swiss.
Swiss will also enter the oneworld alliance, of which British Airways is a founder member. This will provide the grouping with an additional high-quality carrier and an important additional airport hub in central Europe, serving one of the world's most important financial centres and providing customers with
greater choice of destination, airline and global alliance. (See separate press release from oneworld for further details).
Rod Eddington, chief executive of British Airways, said: 'I am delighted to welcome Swiss into the oneworld alliance. This commercial deal will benefit both British Airways and the new Swiss, which has a quality product, network and hub in Zurich which makes it a logical fit to oneworld in Central Europe.'
Andre Dose, chief executive officer of Swiss said: 'We are proud to be a member of oneworld, the world's leading international alliance. Swiss as well as oneworld clients will benefit from the enhanced network and the joint frequent flyer programmes.'
Seems to be effectively a merger out of the UK
Sagey