TOURISM INDIA MARCH 2019 TOURISM INDIA FEBRUARY 2019 | Page 27

T he CEOs of oneworld® member airlines has met in London recently to unveil a radical transformation of the global alliance as it marks the 20th anniversary of its launch. The moves are designed to increase the value that oneworld delivers to customers and to its member airlines into its third decade, while reflecting the substantial changes in the marketplace and the industry since oneworld originally took off on 1 February 1999. Mr. Rob Gurney, CEO of oneworld alliance said: “In the two decades since oneworld was launched, the industry and consumer behaviours have changed fundamentally. Most of our member airlines have undergone comprehensive restructuring. Some have merged. When oneworld first took off, hardly any airline offered online bookings. Smartphones were in the future. Social media did not exist. Airline fares included everything. Low- cost carriers were in their infancy. “Since then, global alliances have grown greatly in terms of membership but, to be frank, they have failed to keep pace with the changes that their members, the industry at large and the marketplace have experienced. At oneworld, we are making up for that. As we enter our third decade, we are undergoing a radical transformation, with a host of fresh initiatives to strengthen further the relevance of the alliance to our member airlines and our customers.” Mr. Alan Joyce, Group CEO of Qantas and Chairman of oneworld Governing Board added: “Qantas was one of the airlines that founded oneworld 20 years ago and we’ve seen it evolve into the leading alliance in the sky. A NEW ONEWORLD DIGITAL PLATFORM THAT WILL BRING TO LIFE IN THE DIGITAL ERA THE ALLIANCE’S CORE PROMISE OF SEAMLESS CONNECTIVITY FOR CUSTOMERS FLYING ON MULTI-SECTOR, MULTI- AIRLINE JOURNEYS, VIA THE CONVENIENCE OF THEIR PREFERRED MEMBER AIRLINE’S MOBILE APP OR WEBSITE – WITHOUT HAVING TO DOWNLOAD ANY ADDITIONAL APP OR ENTER MORE LOG-IN CREDENTIALS. “In some ways, oneworld represents a team of rivals, given several members are direct competitors in various regions. For two decades it’s been able to bring together the best carriers, lounges, frequent flyer programs and networks offer people a much smoother travel experience. Now, as the alliance enters its third decade, we are stepping up that cooperation and modernising how we work together to make oneworld even more relevant to international travellers and to its member airlines.” Rob Gurney and Alan Joyce were joined at the London event by their counterparts from oneworld’s other three founding members, American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways who commented on behalf of colleagues from many of the other airlines that have joined them in the alliance since then, who were also present. Mr. Vipula Gunatilleka, CEO, SriLankan Airlines said: “SriLankan Airlines sends our best wishes to the oneworld team and all other member airlines on this momentous occasion of marking two decades. Since 2014, we have had the privilege of being part of this prestigious alliance and it has opened up a world of opportunities for us. More importantly, this has enabled us to offer our passengers extensive connectivity and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. On the other hand, as the representative of the South Asia region, it is both our pleasure and honour to add exotic and vibrant destinations to the oneworld route map. The Travel Bright campaign that takes off today presents a progressive outlook to air travel. It will inspire many more to enjoy the benefits of the alliance and be part of the world that we bring together as member airlines of oneworld.” February 2019 Tourism India 25