Aimia has entered talks with the Oneworld airline alliance as the operator of the Aeroplan frequent-flyer program bolsters its attempt to go it alone in the face of an unsolicited bid from Air Canada. Aimia is in discussions with the alliance about making it a “potential preferred airline partner for the Aeroplan program,” a spokeswoman said. A Oneworld spokesman, said the alliance “has offered to explore ways of working with Aeroplan through a commercial partnership that would enable Aeroplan members to earn and redeem rewards on Oneworld member airlines’ flights from July 1, 2020.” He stressed the talks are at an early stage and there’s no certainty a deal will be concluded. Thursday is the deadline for Aimia to respond to Air Canada’s proposal. <br/>
oneworld
British Airways has been condemned for cooperating with the removal of refused asylum seekers persecuted for their sexuality while sponsoring the UK’s biggest gay pride event. A letter signed by LGBT rights campaigners, performers and businesses as well as several MPs calls on BA, a sponsor of Brighton Pride, to stop accepting contracts from the Home Office for immigration removals. BA said it was proud to support Brighton Pride and it had a legal duty under the Immigration Act 1971 to remove individuals when asked to do so by the Home Office. “Not fulfilling this obligation amounts to breaking the law,” it said. “We are not given any personal information about the individual being deported, including their sexuality or why they are being deported,” the airline said. <br/>
Japan Airlines has formally established a new corporate entity that will operate long-haul LCC flights with widebody aircraft. The company has been set up under the interim name TBL Co. Ltd., which stands for “to be launched.” JAL has named Shinto Nishida as the representative director responsible for the new entity. Its headquarters will be at Tokyo Narita. JAL owns 100% of the company, although it will look for other investors. Few other details about the carrier have been released. An executive management team will be established in August, which will allow launch preparations to begin, an airline spokesman said. The actual name of the airline and branding is expected to be announced early in JAL’s 2019 financial year, which begins in April 2019. <br/>