Oneworld alliance launches ‘connect’ tier with Fiji Airways

The oneworld alliance has introduced a new tier of membership, with Fiji Airways becoming the first oneworld connect partner. Oneworld CE Rob said the oneworld connect model will enable the 20-year-old alliance to fill white spaces around the globe with airlines that may not necessarily have the size, capabilities or desire to become full members. “The program has been designed to be as flexible as possible,” Gurney explained. “We think it’s a very scalable model and it’s designed to be that. Finnair CE Pekka Vauramo, oneworld’s governing board chairman, added: “In the future, we expect most of the member airlines to come into the alliance as ‘oneworld connect’ … We are progressing in talks with other airlines from various parts of the world that are interested in the program, including in the Americas and Asia.” <br/>