CX sponsors UL into oneworld.
The oneworld airline alliance has just announced the accession of SriLankan Airlines, which is expected to be integrated into the alliance by the end of 2013.
UL’s move into the alliance is sponsored by Cathay Pacific, with the move announced in Beijing on the sidelines of the IATA 2012 World Air Transport Summit which kicks off today.
oneworld said that SriLankan has “virtually doubled in size since peace returned to its home country three years ago, and plans further substantial expansion to its fleet and network in the next few years”.
UL currently operates 21 aircraft from its Colombo base, flying to 34 destinations in 22 countries across the globe. As well as being the flag carrier of Sri Lanka, it’s the largest international carrier serving the Maldives and also has a significant presence in southern India.
SriLankan already codeshares with oneworld member designate Malaysia Airlines, and has today also announced in principle agreement for a codeshare deal with oneworld members Royal Jordanian and S7 Airlines.
Three new destinations will be added to the oneworld network via the accession of SriLankan: Kochi, Tiruchirapalli and Thiruvananthapuram in southern India.
UL ceo Kapila Chandrasena said “As an airline highly focused on quality service, we are extremely proud to have been invited to join the highest quality alliance with the best airline partners offering a global network that best complements our own”.
More information in tomorrow’s Travel Daily.