Oneworld CEOs mark alliance's breakthrough year
 

Chief Executives from oneworld's member airlines gathered last week for their first Governing Board meeting of what is turning out to be a breakthrough year for the alliance. It was the first time they had convened since:  Japan Airlines reaffirmed its oneworld membership and then filed for antitrust immunity (ATI) with American to deepen their cooperation across the Pacific;  India's Kingfisher Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding as its first step towards joining oneworld.  The U.S. Department of Transportation gave tentative approval to the application by American, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian for ATI across the Atlantic – and the European Commission began market testing of proposed remedies in a key step towards approval of the proposed trans-Atlantic joint business between AA, BA, and Iberia. Gerard Arpey, CEO and oneworld Governing Board Chairman, noted oneworld is experiencing huge progress in deepening links between its member airlines: "We expect our applications for antitrust immunity across the Atlantic and Pacific to be approved soon, leveling the alliance playing field between North America and Europe and ensuring that alliance competition remains robust between North America and Asia. Both initiatives will enable oneworld to offer our customers even better services and benefits," Arpey said. Read more about the Governing Board meeting:

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