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Kingfisher Airlines set to join oneworld in February

Kingfisher Airlines is set to become part of the oneworld airline alliance on February 10th 2012.

It will be the first carrier from the subcontinent to join any of the global airline groups - and the first of three airlines to join oneworld in its biggest membership expansion drive for five years.

airberlin will to follow shortly afterwards and Malaysia Airlines later in 2012.

Kingfisher Airlines received its green light to board oneworld after successfully completing a thorough review of its readiness conducted by British Airways, which is sponsoring its entry into the alliance, with the oneworld central team.

For Kingfisher Airlines, joining oneworld will strengthen its competitive offering and its financial position, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners including some of the best and biggest airlines in the world. 

Its addition will extend oneworld’s global coverage to nearly 800 destinations in almost 150 countries, served by a total of almost 8,500 departures a day operated by a combined fleet of more than 2,250 aircraft, carrying 305 million passengers a year, with annual revenues of US$94 billion.

With the addition soon of airberlin and later this year Malaysia Airlines, the oneworld network will expand to more than 850 destinations.

oneworld chief executive Bruce Ashby said: “Kingfisher Airlines will expand oneworld’s network substantially in a key region of growing travel demand, with a carrier that matches our demanding requirements, while enabling Kingfisher Airlines to offer its customers a truly global network on quality partners. 

“We are look forward to welcoming them to the oneworld alliance in February.”

Kingfisher Airlines was invited to join oneworld in June 2010 after gaining approval from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation to become part of the alliance.

Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya said: “Kingfisher Airlines takes great pride in its track record for quality and innovation.

“By becoming part of oneworld in February, we will be flying as part of the world’s leading quality airline alliance - and the first carrier from the subcontinent to be accepted into any of the global airline groups,” he added.

Earlier this month Tom Horton assumed leadership of the oneworld alliance.

It is considered the World’s Leading Airline Alliance by the World Travel Awards.