India’s Kingfisher Airlines set to join oneworld alliance in 2H2011
Kingfisher Airlines announced (23-Feb-2010) it is is "lining up" to join oneworld after signing an MoU as its first step towards full membership, which will add 58 cities to the oneworld network. A target date for Kingfisher Airlines to join the alliance will be confirmed once this approval is gained. British Airways will sponsor Kingfisher. [more] Kingfisher Chairman, Dr Vijay Mallya, stated the carrier expects international operations to become profitable in 2010 (Press Trust of India, 23-Feb-2010). [more - Perspective]
Kingfisher Airlines: "International is still losing and it is not unexpected because it takes time to build international routes in face of foreign competition. Takes a bit of time. During the course of the year, we should turn that profitable," Vijay Mallya, Chairman. Source: Press Trust of India, 23-Feb-2010.
Kingfisher Airlines: "Kingfisher Airlines is proud to be lining up to join the world's leading quality global airline alliance. Becoming part of oneworld would be one of our most significant steps so far - and is right in line with our vision to become one of the world's top airlines. It will enable us to offer our guests a truly global network served by partners who include some of the best known and most admired airlines in the world, with frequent flyer benefits extended throughout this network. It will also strengthen us financially, through revenues from passengers transferring to our network from our oneworld partners and the cost reduction opportunities the alliance offers." Vijay Mallya, Chairman and Chief Executive. Source: Kingfisher Airlines, 23-Feb-2010.
British Airways: "Kingfisher Airlines is an ideal fit for oneworld. It has a strong focus on customer service and its network expands what the alliance currently offers. oneworld's priority is the quality rather than quantity of our member airlines, which is why British Airways is delighted to be developing our relationship with Kingfisher Airlines further by acting as its sponsor into the alliance." Willie Walsh, Chief Executive. Source: Kingfisher Airlines, 23-Feb-2010.