avt100
24th Feb 2002, 05:24
Source <a href="http://luchtvaart.pagina.nl" target="_blank">AV News</a> :)
SWISS, the airline salvaged from the remains of Swissair, looks set to join British Airways and American Airlines in their oneworld aviation alliance. . .The move is a blow for the rival Star Alliance that includes Lufthansa and United Airlines. Both alliances were targeting Swiss which, following its restructuring, is regarded as one of the best capitalised airlines in Europe.
With airline mergers facing regulatory hurdles, alliances are seen within the industry as the best way to share facilities, market each other’s services and cut costs.
Swiss is due to begin operations late next month, and will probably announce plans to join oneworld at the same time.
Switzerland’s new national airline still faces large claims from creditors, and said that it would report a loss of more than SFr1 billion (£400 million) this year.
However, André Dose, the chief executive, told a conference yesterday that he expected Swiss to break even in 2003. He would not reveal which alliance Swiss had chosen, although a source confirmed the oneworld decision.
“I think Swiss thought it would get a higher profile in oneworld than Star,” the source said.
Last month BA and AA were forced to abandon plans to merge some transatlantic operations, and are now keen to broaden and deepen oneworld, whose other members include Cathay Pacific, Iberia and Qantas.
Oneworld is also understood to be talking to the Polish airline Lot about joining the alliance.
SWISS, the airline salvaged from the remains of Swissair, looks set to join British Airways and American Airlines in their oneworld aviation alliance. . .The move is a blow for the rival Star Alliance that includes Lufthansa and United Airlines. Both alliances were targeting Swiss which, following its restructuring, is regarded as one of the best capitalised airlines in Europe.
With airline mergers facing regulatory hurdles, alliances are seen within the industry as the best way to share facilities, market each other’s services and cut costs.
Swiss is due to begin operations late next month, and will probably announce plans to join oneworld at the same time.
Switzerland’s new national airline still faces large claims from creditors, and said that it would report a loss of more than SFr1 billion (£400 million) this year.
However, André Dose, the chief executive, told a conference yesterday that he expected Swiss to break even in 2003. He would not reveal which alliance Swiss had chosen, although a source confirmed the oneworld decision.
“I think Swiss thought it would get a higher profile in oneworld than Star,” the source said.
Last month BA and AA were forced to abandon plans to merge some transatlantic operations, and are now keen to broaden and deepen oneworld, whose other members include Cathay Pacific, Iberia and Qantas.
Oneworld is also understood to be talking to the Polish airline Lot about joining the alliance.