Finnair has announced it plans to join British Airways and Japan Airlines in their business on flights between Europe and Japan.
The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will see the Helsinki-based carrier share revenue and coordinate schedules and fares with both BA and JAL on routes to Japan.
The news comes less than four months after Finnair announced it will join the BA/Iberia/American Airlines transatlantic joint venture later this year (see online news, March 7). It today emerged that that arrangement has now received regulatory clearance and begins tomorrow.
Pekka Vauramo, CEO of Finnair, said: "We are delighted to deepen our cooperation with our Oneworld partners JAL and British Airways, which are both leading carriers in their home markets.
"Japan is one of Finnair's core markets and we look forward to the benefits this strategic joint business agreement will bring to our customers and other stakeholders."
BA and JAL began their joint business in September 2012 - the two Oneworld members co-operate and share revenue on all flights between the UK and Japan, as well as on JAL's services to Paris and Frankfurt.
Keith Williams, chief executive of British Airways, said: "The inclusion of Finnair in the joint business will strengthen the ties between East and West in this vital and growing market."
Yoshiharu Ueki, President of Japan Airlines, added: "With the strengthened partnership, we can improve our efficiencies to provide the travelling public between Europe and Japan with a more comprehensive network."
Graham Smith
