Malaysia Airlines Set To Join Oneworld Alliance By Year-End

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama)-- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is well poised to become a full member of the oneworld alliance by end of this year. In a statement on Wednesday, MAS group chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said: "After airberlin, Malaysia’s national carrier will become a full member of oneworld alliance. "The prospect of being able to offer improved global coverage and connectivity through an expanded network of great airlines to Malaysia Airlines’ guests is indeed very exciting," he said. "Our customers, in particular members of our enrich loyalty programme, will benefit from increased rewards and recognition whilst enjoying more seamless air travel options," he added. MAS is looking forward to a full membership that will improve its brand awareness amongst the alliance members’ customers and enhance its load factors through additional partner traffic, Ahmad Jauhari said. These in turn would drive the hub connectivity to facilitate the national carrier's global reach through oneworld’s network of some 800 destinations in 150 countries. "This membership will be among the significant catalysts that will complement our efforts to win back customers and become a profitable preferred premium carrier as outlined in our Business Plan," he added. Oneworld aims to be the airline alliance of choice for the world’s frequent international travellers, bringing together some of the best and biggest names in the airline industry including airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines. --BERNAMA