Cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) will become a part of the prestigious oneworld alliance from February next year making it the first carrier from the subcontinent to join any of the global airline groups.
The Vijay Mallya-owned airline is facing mounting debts and a series of financial difficulties. As first reported by HindustanTimes, the airline has shut down pilot and cabin crew bases in a number of cities, more than 130 pilots have quit the airline in the last few months and more than 25 aircraft of its fleet of 66 are grounded.
The aviation regulator recently cancelled 175 slots allotted to KFA under the winter schedule after it was found operating only 243 flights out of the 418 slots allotted to it.
"Becoming part of oneworld will strengthen us financially, through revenues from passengers transferring to our network from our oneworld partners and the cost reduction opportunities the alliance offers," said Mallya.
The oneworld alliance was established in 1998 by American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. It includes 12 airlines and 20 affiliated carriers. Together, these airlines operate nearly 10,000 daily flights to more than 750 destinations across the globe.
{{/usCountry}}The oneworld alliance was established in 1998 by American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. It includes 12 airlines and 20 affiliated carriers. Together, these airlines operate nearly 10,000 daily flights to more than 750 destinations across the globe.
{{/usCountry}}The alliance offers inter-line ticketing between member airlines, which means smooth transfers and greater flexibility across the entire network.
The two other airline alliances are Star Alliance and SkyTeam.