The CEOs of oneworld member airlines met in London to unveil a radical transformation of the global alliance as it marks the 20th anniversary of its launch.
The moves are designed to increase the value that oneworld delivers to customers and to its member airlines into its third decade, while reflecting the substantial changes in the marketplace and the industry since oneworld originally took off on 1 February 1999.
oneworld CEO Rob Gurney said: “In the two decades since oneworld was launched, the industry and consumer behaviours have changed fundamentally. Most of our member airlines have undergone comprehensive restructuring. Some have merged. When oneworld first took off, hardly any airline offered online bookings”.
SriLankan Airlines CEO Vipula Gunatilleka said: “SriLankan Airlines sends our best wishes to the oneworld team and all other member airlines on this momentous occasion of marking two decades. Since 2014, we have had the privilege of being part of this prestigious alliance and it has opened up a world of opportunities for us. More importantly, this has enabled us to offer our passengers extensive connectivity and enhanced frequent flyer benefits”.
“On the other hand, as the representative of the South Asia region, it is both our pleasure and honour to add exotic and vibrant destinations to the oneworld route map. The Travel Bright campaign that takes off today presents a progressive outlook to air travel. It will inspire many more to enjoy the benefits of the alliance and be part of the world that we bring together as member airlines of oneworld.”
oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce added: “Qantas was one of the airlines that founded oneworld 20 years ago and we’ve seen it evolve into the leading alliance in the sky.
SriLankan Airlines CEO Vipula Gunatilleka said, “SriLankan Airlines sends our best wishes to the oneworld team and all other member airlines on this momentous occasion of marking two decades.
Since 2014, we have had the privilege of being part of this prestigious alliance and it has opened up a world of opportunities for us. More importantly, this has enabled us to offer our passengers extensive connectivity and enhanced frequent flyer benefits”.
“On the other hand, as the representative of the South Asia region, it is both our pleasure and honour to add exotic and vibrant destinations to the oneworld route map. The Travel Bright campaign that takes off today presents a progressive outlook to air travel. It will inspire many more to enjoy the benefits of the alliance and be part of the world that we bring together as member airlines of oneworld.”
oneworld was launched on 1 February 1999 by founding members American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas.
Since then, they have been joined by Finnair and Iberia, on 1999, then LATAM (then LanChile) on 2000, Japan Airlines and Royal Jordanian on 2007, S7 Airlines on 15 November 2010, Malaysia Airlines on 2013, Qatar Airways on 30 October 2013 and SriLankan Airlines on 2014. Royal Air Maroc was invited into the alliance in December and is on track to join during 2020.
Fiji Airways was introduced as the first oneworld connect partner in December 2018.
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