Kingfisher Airlines’ big win; shifts alliances landscape in Asia with oneworld move. BA to invest?

Kingfisher Airlines has trumped rivals Jet Airways and Air India with confirmation it intends to join the oneworld alliance in the second half of 2011, subject to government approvals. Given the mess surrounding Air India's integration with Indian Airlines, Kingfisher could beat its state-owned rival into the alliances fold, with Star recently extending its timeframe for the beleaguered carrier to integrate its IT platform prior to joining. Kingfisher's move - a highly significant one given the historical linkages and strong traffic flows between the UK and India - also corners Jet Airways into switching allegiances towards SkyTeam members - a potentially costly exercise.