Joining ‘oneworld’ a win win situation for all - UL Chairman

Joining ‘oneworld’ airline alliance was a win win situation for all, said SriLankan (UL) Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe to Daily News Business.

He said SriLanka would officially join oneworld before the year end. Wickremasinghe said SriLankan had been invited to join oneworld witnessing the strength of our National Carrier and Sri Lankans could be proud of it.

“It is a privilege and it would derive massive benefits to the country,” he said. Wickremasinghe was attending the Malaysian Airlines unveiling its first aircraft in oneworld livery ceremony in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia as an especial invitee yesterday.

There are many comparative advantages that SriLankan could derive by joining the alliance. He said a single airline with limited aircraft, could not conquer the world alone. The alliance with oneworld would provide SriLankan travellers the opportunity to fly to any part of the world with a SriLankan ticket. He said to enter the alliance, the vote of members were required. He said there were several alliances. However, oneworld has decided to invite SriLankan because of the strategic importance of our National Carrier.

Wickremasinghe added that SriLankan had made a thorough evaluation of the situation, as there were many alliances.

By joining oneworld, SriLankan could derive maximum advantage in the aviation world and the last year’s invitation to come on board with oneworld, was encouraging and due recognition to the progress SriLankan had achieved in the past few years.