‘Global Alliances Need To Innovate And Adapt'

Aviation alliances will continue to be effective only if they change, said Rob Gurney, in a speech he delivered to Aviation Club members on the alliance’s 18th birthday. We reproduce excerpts:

- Rob Gurney

Today, in many countries, reaching the age of 18 means you have achieved maturity. And so it is with oneworld – and indeed global airline alliances overall.

When oneworld’s conception was first announced, its five proud parents – American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines International, Cathay Pacific and Qantas – were, frankly, privately unsure how long global alliances would be around. But here we are, nearly two decades on… Our purpose is little changed – to add more value for individual airlines and their customers than any single carrier can on its own.