WASHINGTON -- Swiss accepted an invitation to join the Oneworld
alliance.
In what Swiss described as a "parallel move," it also signed a
memorandum of understanding to forge an alliance with British
Airways, a Oneworld member.
Swiss, with its financial woes, said the deals will
"significantly enhance Swiss' business prospects," including an
expected direct commercial benefit of $73.6 million a year.
It also said Oneworld members plan to make greater use of Zurich
Airport as a hub for the Central European market.
Oneworld carriers other than Swiss operate 34 flights most days
at Zurich.
Swiss becomes the ninth member of Oneworld, which also includes
American, British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Iberia,
LanChile, Finnair and Aer Lingus.
To contact reporter Andrew Compart, send e-mail to [email protected].