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Qatar to join Oneworld? Tipsters say yes, Qatar says no...

By David Flynn     Filed under: OneWorld, Qatar Airways
  • published 1 Oct, 2012
  • text size: smaller larger

UPDATE | Qatar Airways will join the Oneworld airline alliance in 2014, despite last week's denials by the Gulf carrier's CEO Akbar Al Baker. Full details here.
 
PREVIOUS | Rumours are rife that Qatar Airways will sign up to the Oneworld alliance, but the middle-eastern airline is singing a contrary tune.

Oneworld is reported to be holding a media event in New York next Monday, October 8, to announce a "significant membership development", according to FlightGlobal.

The CEOs of American Airlines and British Airways patent International Airlines Group will be attending, and suggestions are that one or even both both airlines would sponsor Qatar into the alliance (fulfilling the same role that Qantas has with Malaysia Airlines, with MAS now due to join Oneworld in early 2013).

However, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker today denied those reports, says Reuters.

Asked if the Gulf carrier planned to join Oneworld, he replied “No, we will not. It’s all rumours."

Naturally, Australian Business Traveller will keep tracking this story and report the latest developments as they come to hand.

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Profile

About David Flynn

David Flynn is the editor of Australian Business Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

Follow @ausbt on Twitter

 

Email: david@ausbt.com.au

Twitter: @djsflynn

 

Have something to say? Post a comment now!

1 on 1/10/12 by mrp

That would put the Qantas/Emirates deal in an "interesting" position.

1 on 2/10/12 by Peter

I think it'd affect the airberlin/Etihad partnership to a greater extent given that Etihad owns part of airberlin and their relationship is already quite mature.

In terms of the Qantas/Emirates alliance, Qantas & Qatar would essentially have a hands-off relationship... I doubt we'll see any codeshares between the two carriers, just the ability to earn and burn.

1 on 2/10/12 by spinoza

if this happens Emirates would have to be pretty unhappy about it.

There are many routes that are Emirates but not codeshared with Qantas. (Hard to know which ones specifically right now). For those routes, it is better for a QFF to fly Qatar than Emirates since you get full status credits.

2 on 3/10/12 by driley28

Seeing Qatar are denying this what are the other options for admission to Oneworld or leaving Oneworld?  Is AA leaving or suspending its membership due to its financial position?

 

1 on 3/10/12 by Al

Well I think we can rule out Air India and Kingfisher! :P

2 on 3/10/12 by mrp

It might be TAM joining One World as a result of their merge with LAN. Part of that agreement required TAM and LAN to choose one alliance.

3 on 3/10/12 by driley28

Agree, Kingfisher will never be a part of Oneworld! 

4 on 3/10/12 by driley28

I read LATAM will be making a decision in the first half of next year.

5 on 5/10/12 by woganfan

Given Qatar saying no to this, I have a suspicion that IAG & AA will announce a merger. AA are in dire straits and IAG have always been on the prowl for merger and takeover targets, QF were on their shopping list until quite recently. It would benefit all involved if they could rationalise trans Atlantic services.

 

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