American Airlines strengthens international network with expansion of SWISS codeshare

American Airlines today announced it will continue to grow its international network with an expansion of its codeshare relationship with SWISS, one of Europe's largest carriers. Beginning Oct. 16, the company will place its AA code on SWISS flights between Zurich and Johannesburg, South Africa; Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; Dubai, UAE; Budapest, Hungary; and Tirana, Albania. American flies to Zurich from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and New York's Kennedy Airport.

Over the past year, American has put increased emphasis on enhancing the depth of its cooperation with its strategic alliance partners. Among the new routes added in recent months were service to Delhi and Bombay with SWISS via Zurich and to Seoul, Korea, with Japan Airlines via Tokyo.

American hopes to add in the near future codeshare service to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific via Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York as well as codeshare service with Japan Airlines to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam, via Tokyo. Government approvals for these agreements are pending.

"American's goal to expand its international reach is ever more critical during the industry's financial crisis," said Henry Joyner, senior vice president-Planning. "Strong relationships such as our codeshare with SWISS enable us to grow our company in strategically beneficial regions of the world, such as Europe, Africa and the Middle East, at a time when we must take advantage of all opportunities to meet our customers' travel demands.

"One of American's core strengths has long been its superior route network," said Joyner. "Expanding through cooperative relationships is a smart, efficient way to add service strategically during this challenging time in the industry."

American has been voted Best North American Airline for the 10th consecutive year by some of the world's most frequent fliers at the 2002 Business Traveller Awards in London. American's global alliance, oneworld, was named the world's Best Airline Alliance.

American Airlines, the world’s largest carrier, together with its regional affiliates American Eagle and the American Connection carriers, serves more than 250 cities in more than 40 countries and territories with more than 4,400 daily flights.