NEW YORK -- Aer Lingus may be the smallest member of the oneworld
airline alliance, but "we fight above our weight," chief executive
Garry Cullen said.
The Irish airline joined the alliance on the same day that
self-rule returned to Northern Ireland, and Cullen said there was
no better example of the historical shift in the British Isles than
British Airways' sponsorship of Aer Lingus in the alliance.
He called it a "day of great hope and expectation for both
Northern Ireland and Aer Lingus."
Aer Lingus will begin offering oneworld benefits -- reciprocal
frequent flyer recognition and lounge privileges -- in
mid-2000.
Cullen said Aer Lingus' membership and its new alliance
agreements with American and British Airways, signed last week, do
not include a provision for equity investment in the Irish carrier
by its partners, although that may happen once the Irish government
launches its privatization.
A 10% stake for each of the larger carriers has been discussed
by the partners.
American Airlines chairman Donald Carty, who also chairs
oneworld, said the alliance also had invited Japan Airlines to join
but had made no decision regarding Grupo Taca.
Carty said the alliance so far has focused on customer benefits
rather than on joint purchasing, for example.
The alliance carriers are looking at ways to maximize
opportunities in the e-commerce arena, Carty said, although
oneworld does not yet have concrete plans.