The oneworld alliance generated $2 billion in revenues for its members last year, including $450 million in incremental revenues.
In a briefing before the start of the IATA annual general meeting, oneworld announced that about 8 million passengers transferred between member flights in 2006, generating about $2 billion in revenues, an increase of almost 5% over 2005. Oneworld says $675 million of these revenues came from alliance fares and sales, a more than 10% increase over 2005. It classifies almost two-thirds of the $675 million as incremental - revenues its members would not have earned if they were not in oneworld.
"In a business where operating margins are generally thin and at a time when fuel prices have reached record highs, revenues from oneworld represent an increasingly important contribution to our member airlines' financial standing - and we are committed to increasing the contribution the alliance makes," says oneworld managing partner John McCulloch.
McCulloch also revealed the alliance is continuing to court China Eastern Airlines as a potential member, even though Star member Singapore Airlines plans to acquire a large minority stake in the carrier. Oneworld is also talking to China's Hainan Airlines and McCulloch says India "is a major target and focus for us".
Source: Airline Business
