Kingfisher inks pact to join 'oneworld' alliance

Kingfisher Airlines on Monday became a member-elect of the global airline partnership -- 'oneworld' alliance, with the premier carrier also announcing it had entered into a codeshare agreement with British Airways to give a boost to passenger carriage between India and the UK.

A formal agreement was signed by liquor baron and Kingfisher chief Vijay Mallya and the top officers of all the 12 'oneworld' partner airlines, after a team of the global alliance visited Delhi and Mumbai, completed a safety audit and set in motion the process through which the Indian carrier would become full-fledged member of the global partnership.

It would take at least another 18 months for Kingfisher to become a full-fledged member of the alliance, after it integrates its IT system, distribution process and frequent flyer programmes with other partner airlines.

Air India and Jet Airways are already proceeding towards becoming full-fledged members of the Star Alliance, which is the rival alliance of 'oneworld'.

Announcing that Kingfisher signed the contract recently to become the member elect, oneworld chairman and American Airlines chief Gerqard Arpey said the development was showed that the alliance was that of 'the finest collection of airlines brands delivering the highest levels of service to the markets' across the world.

Kingfisher was represented at the ceremony in Berlin by senior vice president Manoj Chacko, who said his airline, which currently serves 70 destinations, would now be able to connect to 800 cities across the world as a partner of the 'oneworld' alliance.

Chacko said the process of joining the 'oneworld' was facilitated by regulatory approvals granted by the civil aviation ministry some weeks ago.

"We have got all the required approvals from the Government of India".

Replying to questions, he said Kingfisher has had 'pretty aggressive domestic growth plans in India. We will continue with those plans in future too'.

Once Kingfisher joins as a full member of the alliance,all its aircraft would have he 'oneworld' logo displayed on their fuselages, while its 'KingClub' frequent flyer programme members would be able to benefit out of the facilities granted by all partner airlines.

British Airways chief executive Willy Walsh the premier global airline and Kingisher had reached a bilateral agreement on codeshare, under which the two carriers provide each other's customers seamless travel benefits.

Full details would be announced a few weeks later, he said. BA team of engineers and other experts visited India recently and carried out all necessary audits required for Kingfisher to join oneworld, Walsh said.

Asked whether any other Indian carrier was being wooed by them, 'oneworld' Managing Partner John McCulloch replied in the negative.

"We are not taking any other partner from India. We have the best amongst us."