JAL to join oneworld early 2007

Qantas has welcomed the news that Japan Airlines (JAL) will join the oneworld alliance in early 2007.

The Japanese carrier, one of the world's largest, formally accepted an invitation in Paris Monday to join the alliance.

In Paris for a meeting of the oneworld Governing Board (oGB), the Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said, "This is a natural evolution of the very strong bilateral relationship that Qantas has had with JAL for many years."

"It marks another important step in our ability to work together to develop the important travel market between Japan and Australia and to provide the customers of both airlines with wider choices, including frequent flyer benefits and reciprocal lounge access for premium passengers."

As well as Japan Airlines, five other members of the JAL group will also join oneworld as affiliates - J-Air, JAL Express, JALways, Japan Asia Airways, Japan Transocean Air.

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