Air Berlin CEO calls joining oneworld ‘next logical step’

737-800. Photo: Courtesy, Air Berlin.

Following Air Berlin’s disclosure Monday that it intends to join oneworld, CEO Joachim Hunold said yesterday the move is "the next logical step" for the carrier.

Hunold noted that AB has set up codeshare agreements with American Airlines and Finnair (ATW Daily News, July 27). “We are very pleased that the bilateral agreement will be in place for the start of the winter schedule 2010-11,” he said. “With AA we will link our hubs on both sides of the Atlantic to achieve a major increase in our services by operating codeshare flights. Initially we will offer 38 routes, including nine transatlantic routes, as part of this codeshare."

Regarding the codeshare agreement with Finnair, Hunold said: “AY and AB were able to survive the selection process experienced by European airlines because they took action rather than watching from the sidelines…AY and AB have reached an agreement on offering codeshare flights from the start of this year’s winter schedule.”

AB will work toward completing a full oneworld membership agreement under the sponsorship of British Airways.