Aer Lingus To Exit Oneworld

Ireland-based low-cost carrier Aer Lingus today said it is leaving the Oneworld airline alliance, following the go-ahead from its board of directors last week. A member of the alliance since 2000, the carrier said a changed business strategy-marked by low fares and point-to-point service-has made its alliance membership moot, but plans to maintain relationships with alliance partners.

The carrier said it would continue to participate in Oneworld until Aer Lingus and alliance partners determine an exit date. Oneworld said "timing and terms" will be discussed with its governing board at its next meeting, but an official exit likely will commence early next year.

"Alliance membership has inevitably become less relevant for the airline over time, with an increasing number of customers availing of our new direct services at low fares," Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said today in a statement. "Emphasis in the future will be to continue to expand our range of destinations from Ireland, both short-haul and long-haul. Our recently commenced non-stop Dubai service represents the first strand of this strategy."

Oneworld in a statement agreed that the carrier's strategy and that of the alliance have diverged in recent years, noting, "The alliance's key target market is the multi-sector, premium, frequent international traveler, while Aer Lingus has repositioned itself as a low-fares point-to-point carrier."

Aer Lingus said it has no plans to join either of the other airline alliances once its membership in Oneworld expires. The carrier also said it is working with current alliance members to maintain key bilateral relationships upon its alliance exit.

Despite the carrier's exit, Oneworld said it is poised for its biggest expansion to date through three new recruits-Japan, Malev Hungarian and Royal Jordanian airlines.