The Oneworld airline alliance has announced that it has agreed to defer Kingfisher Airline's entry into the alliance, in order to give the Indian carrier more time to strengthen its financial position.
Kingfisher was due to be implemented into the alliance on Friday February 10 (see online news December 19, 2011) but this will now be put on hold until further notice.
Oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby said, “These are turbulent times for the airline industry in India and many other parts of the world. We have been working closely with Kingfisher Airlines over the past months and it has become increasingly clear recently that the airline needs more time to resolve the financial issues it is confronting before it can be welcomed into Oneworld.
"We wish it well during this process and will work with Kingfisher Airlines with the aim of setting a new joining date once it is through this current period of turbulence."
Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya added: "In light of the many priorities centred around Kingfisher Airlines' recapitalisation efforts, we felt it prudent to defer our entry into the alliance for a little while.”
For more information visit oneworld.com.
Report by Scott Carey
