Japan Airlines applies for oneworld membership

Airline Industry Information, Oct 25, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Japan Airlines has made a request to join the oneworld alliance.

According to Japan Airlines' CEO Toshiyuki Shinmachi, the airline will enter talks with the alliance as soon as possible. Alliance members include British Airways and American Airlines.

The airline has said that an alliance membership would make it easier for passengers to make flight connections with other airlines and it would also expand the network offered by Japan Airlines, The Associated Press reported.

Shinmachi also said that membership would give such advantages as linkage of frequent flyer mileage programmes, integration of e-ticketing in which airline tickets can be ordered through the Internet, and sharing the use of services such as lounges.

The oneworld alliance has reportedly welcomed Japan Airlines' decision to join, and said that if the airline is accepted for membership it would become the biggest member in terms of revenue.

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