Almost a quarter of the fleet IAG will operate in 5 years’ time has yet to be determined, according to the company’s latest capacity plan. IAG plans to expand its fleet from 587 to 716 aircraft over the course of 2019-23. But some 172 aircraft, comprising 128 short-haul and 44 long-haul, from this overall figure of 716 are still under consideration, the company has disclosed. Thirteen short-haul aircraft due for introduction in 2019 and 5 long-haul aircraft due in 2020 are the earliest arrivals yet to be finalised. While the forecast 2023 fleet comprises 467 short-haul and 249 long-haul aircraft – a respective net increase of 81 and 48 – these figures could be slashed to as few as 213 short-haul and 179 long-haul jets over the 5-year period, depending on the timing of capacity decisions. <br/>
oneworld
IAG expects to maintain its co-operation with Qatar Airways, even as it predicts that the carrier will drop out of the oneworld alliance. Qatar Airways CE Akbar Al Baker had revealed in October that the airline was considering withdrawing from oneworld. IAG appears virtually resigned to this possibility. CE Willie Walsh, said a Qatar Airways split from oneworld was highly likely. "[Al Baker] doesn't say these things without being genuine behind the comments," says Walsh. "He's annoyed with the way some members of oneworld have responded to them as an alliance partner – he doesn't believe it's appropriate.” Qatar Airways holds a share of around 20% in IAG. Walsh says a withdrawal from the alliance "won't, in any way, have an impact on [IAG's] relationship" with Qatar Airways. <br/>
American Airlines is making it harder to qualify for the highest published tier of its loyalty program. Monday, American announced that in 2019 it plans to increase the volume of spending required to qualify for its top-tier Executive Platinum status in the AAdvantage loyalty program by 25%. To qualify for elite status in 2020, it means that through 2019, Executive Platinum members will need to fly 100,000 miles and spend US$15,000 instead of $12,000 with the carrier. No other tier of American’s AAdvantage loyalty program will see changes to elite status qualification requirements in 2020. American’s move comes just a month after United Airlines announced an identical change. Qualification for the top tier of Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program already requires $15,000 in annual spend plus 125,000 flown miles. <br/>