Oneworld Eyes Indian Airline Partner Amid Growth

The oneworld Alliance is weighing the addition of an Indian airline to its roster as the country’s aviation market accelerates, according to CEO Nat Pieper. The global alliance, which includes 15 member carriers from American Airlines to Qantas Airways, sees India as a strategic priority for its next phase of expansion.

Speaking in New York, Pieper acknowledged that bringing in a new member is “always tricky” because it must benefit the entire group as well as each individual airline. However, he said the alliance is actively exploring options, reflecting India’s importance as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets worldwide.

Currently, 10 oneworld members already serve Indian destinations, giving the alliance a strong foundation to build on. Pieper noted that even without a full member airline in India, oneworld could enhance its footprint through initiatives like joint lounges or integrated loyalty benefits to better connect passengers across carriers.

India’s booming middle class, expanding airports, and surge in both domestic and international travel have made it one of the most coveted markets for global airlines. A local partner would give oneworld a seamless network within the country and strengthen its competitiveness against rival alliances already tied to Indian carriers.

The alliance is also in the midst of other changes, with Hawaiian Airlines set to join in 2026 following Alaska Air’s acquisition of the carrier in 2024. A potential Indian member would mark another significant step in oneworld’s push to deepen its global coverage.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com