From AirWISE News :

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Iberia Joins Oneworld Alliance


Feb 16, 1999

As the oneworld alliance formally welcomed Spanish airline Iberia into its ranks in Sydney, Australia on February 15, chairman Xabier de Irala
said that his airline had joined oneworld because "alliances will be vital for Iberia in the increasingly-competitive airline environment of the 21st
century."

He said that Iberia had a lot to offer the alliance as its strong position in Europe would help the alliance become No 1 in the region. de Irala
added that Iberia's strong connections in South America and other Spanish-speaking parts of the world would also be of benefit to the
alliance.

Speaking for the oneworld alliance, Qantas chairman James Strong said Iberia would start offering oneworld services and benefits later this
year once the airline's staff had become familiar with oneworld's training and communications program. He added that the airline's systems also
needed to be linked with the other oneworld members before it could become a full member in the alliance.

Also due to become a full member of the alliance later this year is Finnair. Iberia and Finnair will bring the membership of the alliance to seven.
Japan Airlines is believed to be a possible candidate to join oneworld.

Mr Strong said that the alliance's chief executives had discussed but not decided whether oneworld would go down the path taken by the Star Alliance and have a professional or full-time administrative set-up.

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